Christmas

The Best Oven Baked French Toast Recipe

This is the perfect recipe to make for the holidays- Christmas, Boxing Day or even New Year's Day!

It's perfect for a crowd and super easy for hosting as you make it the night before and then just bake the morning of your gathering.

challah bread baked french toast recipe

 

What you need:

7 eggs
2 to 2 1/4 cups milk (if you use more bread, add the extra 1/4 milk)
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
12 – 18 slices Challah bread*, crusts removed (2 loaves usually)
½ cup butter, melted
½  cup brown sugar

What you do:

Lightly butter 9 X 13 pan.

Combine eggs, milk and cinnamon.

Dip bread in egg mixture, coating both sides, and layer in pan.  Pour the rest of the egg mixture on top.

Stir together butter and brown sugar and drizzle over top.

Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, bring to room temperature, preheat oven to 400 F and remove foil.  Bake for 30-35 minutes or until top is golden and custard has set.

baked french toast recipe

 

*Another name for Challah bread is egg bread.

submitted by momstown Oakville

Posted by momstown team on 12/24/2012 - 10:55
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Make Your Own Candy Cane Sleighs


I'll be adding these adorable candy cane sleighs to our Christmas table. 

 

It is easier to assemble these if you have an extra set of hands. You can do them yourself but it is a bit trickier. You can add these to any table as is or package them up in clear plastic gift bags to add to a present or to give away as a gift. These candy cane sleighs are also great additions to the front lawn of your gingerbread house!

 

candy cane treats for kids

 

 

What You Need:


-Mini candy canes
-Snack size (mini) Mars bars
-Any flavour teddy cracker
-Icing or melted chocolate


How to assemble your Candy Cane Sleighs:


1.  Cut the Mars bars in half.
2.  If you are using chocolate, melt a small amount in the microwave and then put it into a ziploc bag and cut the tip off (creating a piping bag)
3.  If you are using icing, put a small amount into a ziploc bag and cut the tip off (creating a piping bag)
4. Using either the chocolate or the icing, put some on the straight ends of two candy canes and then press one half of a Mars bar and hold.
5. Put the teddy cracker against the Mars bar (the caramel will keep it in place) and put the other half of the chocolate bar in place.  Hold for a few seconds to let it set.


Submitted by momstown Oakville

Posted by momstown team on 12/17/2012 - 13:03
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Perfect Turkey Tips and Side Dishes for Christmas and Thanksgiving

Nothing makes a great Christmas or Thanksgiving than a PERFECT turkey dinner surrounded by family and friends! 

 

how to cook the perfect turkey

 

We have searched the web looking for the BEST tips to help you impress your loved ones and become the turkey goddess in your family!

 

1.  To prepare the turkey for roasting in the oven, first remove the giblets (and save for gravy or stuffing). Next, rinse the bird inside and out and pat dry with paper towels.

2. If you are stuffing the bird, stuff it loosely, allowing about ½ to ¾ cup stuffing per pound of turkey.

3. Brush the skin with melted butter or oil. Tie drumsticks together with string (for stuffed birds only).

4. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The thermometer should point towards the body, and should not touch the bone.

5. Bake until the skin is a light golden color, and then cover loosely with a foil tent. During the last 45 minutes of baking, remove the foil tent to brown the skin. Basting is not necessary, but helps promote even browning.

6. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (75 degrees C) at the thigh.

7.  For carving tips, try allrecipes.com

8.  Have you every tried to brine your turkey?  Here is a fabulous recipe.

 

Here is an awesome video from allrecipes.com that shows you step by step how to make this the best turkey ever!

 

 

Don't forget the supporting cast of dishes...we have some of the best recipes to help complete your turkey feast!

 

Best Gravy Recipes

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

10 Ways to use leftover cranberry

 

Left over turkey?  Here are some great ways to use them in other turkey recipes.

 

Posted by momstown team on 12/12/2012 - 17:15
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Classic Ginger Snaps Recipe

momstown Mississauga had a cookie exchange this week to help our moms save time during the busy holiday season!  For tips on hosting your own cookie exchange- click here!

 

Ginger is a spice that makes you think of the holidays. Every good cookie plate has some type of ginger flavour element this time of year. These cookies are easy to prep, and they freeze well. If you halve the recipe you can easily freeze it in plastic wrap. It will be ready to bake quickly for those last minute holiday guests.

chew ginger snaps
 

Ingredients

3/4 cup room temperature unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup light cane syrup (Lyles brand is best)
1/4 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
2 cups cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt 1/4
1/2 cup turbinado sugar (the large crystals in this sugar give the cookies that sparkle)

 

Directions:

In large bowl, beat butter with granulated sugar until fluffy; beat in egg and syrup. Stir in crystallized ginger.

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, ground ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt.
Stir into butter mixture in 2 or 3 additions. Refrigerate until firm, 1-2 hours.

Place turbinado sugar in a bowl. Make balls from rounded 1 tsps of dough, then roll in the sugar to coat completely.

Bake 2.5cm apart on the parchment or silpat lined baking sheet. Lining the pan is an important step as the sugar on the bottoms harden to create a crunch, but it can burn if placed directly on the pan.

Bake in 350°F (180°C) oven until browned on edges, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on pans on racks for 2 minutes. Transfer to racks; let cool completely. Freeze in ziplock bags, or an airtight container for up to 1 month. As if they will last that long!

 

ginger snaps recipe

 

Submitted by momstown Mississauga

 

Posted by momstown team on 12/10/2012 - 14:14
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11 Christmas Cookie Recipes

The holidays are about family, parties, presents and of course baking! 

 

Many of the momstown chapters host their own cookie exchanges, so we've compiled our Top 11 Christmas Cookie Recipes for you (trust me, it was hard to choose from all of our cookie recipes)!!

 

Happy Baking!

 

11 Christmas cookie recipes

 

 

1. Ginger Snaps

  

2. Oreo Cookie Balls 

 

3. Butterscotch Egg Nog Stars

 

4.  Grandma's Rolled Shortbread

 

5.  Cinnamon Polar Bears

 

6.  Fudge Peppermint Balls

 

7. Nonna's Ricotta Christmas Cookies

 

8. Macaroon Kiss Cookies (use candy cane kisses for Christmas!)

 

9.  Snow Ball Cookies with Pecans

 

10. Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies

 

11. Cranberry White Chocolate Shortbread

Posted by momstown team on 12/10/2012 - 14:04
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3 Festive Christmas Cocktails and Mocktails

 

christmas cocktails and mocktails

 

Mistletoe Cosmo

 

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add;

1 oz vodka

1 oz Chambord

½ oz lime juice

2 oz cranberry juice

4 mint leaves, torn.

 

Shake and strain into a Martini glass and garnish with a mint sprig.

Adapted from LCBO Holiday Recipes

  

Cran-Raspberry Christmas Mocktail


2 cups cold water

2 cups cranberry juice cocktail

1 pouch (1/2 of 15.6-g pkg.) Crystal Light Raspberry Ice Low Calorie Drink Mix

2 cups cold champagne

1/2 cup frozen raspberries


ADD water and juice cocktail to drink mix in 1.5-L plastic or glass pitcher; stir until mix is dissolved.

STIR in champagne.

POUR over raspberries in glasses. Serve immediately.


Non-Alcoholic Variation

Substitute your favourite non-alcoholic sparkling beverage, such as sparkling water or club soda, for the champagne.

 

Adapted from Kraft

 

Spiced Apple Hot Buttered Rum

 

momstown top festive cocktails4 cups (1L) PC Spiced Apple Cocktail

1/2 cup (125 mL) dark rum

1/2 cup (125 mL) Canadian whisky (rye)

2 tbsp (25 mL) cold unsalted butter, cut in 6 equal cubes

 

Instructions

1. In medium saucepan, heat apple cocktail, rum and whisky over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until heated through. Remove from heat; whisk in butter cubes one at a time until melted. Pour into mugs or glasses; serve immediately.


Adapted from President's Choice Recipes

Posted by momstown team on 12/05/2012 - 16:10
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Delicious Holiday Party Appetizers

Ding Dong! Your doorbell is ringing - are you ready for holiday party guests? momstown has assembled a great variety of recipes to help you prep for the hungry holiday noshers.

 

bacon wrapped chestnuts

 

You can't beat Bacon wrapped Chestnuts! Our momstown moms voted these are the most delicious appetizer that they like to eat at a cocktail party. Mmmmm... bacon.

 

party meatballs

 

Easy Party Meatballs are always a hit. At our annual 'Burton Bash" Holiday party we used call a similar variation "Basement Balls" as we tucked the crockpot down in the basement during the party as it cooked up the meatballs. Then mid-party I would pop around the party with a platter of steaming "basement balls"!!

 

Try a new twist on this finger food favourite!  Pesto & Bocconcini Cheese Bruschetta will be a sure hit at your holiday party or take to another party as your appetizer treat!

 

mini florentine cups, holiday appetizers from momstown

 

These little beauties will create a delicious display on your cocktail party table!  Try these Mini Florentine Cups for your next party.

 

 pinecone cheeseball

 

Pinecone Cheseball - can always cound on Kraft for creative ideas and this looks very pretty on your buffet table. You're sure to get kudos for this set-up!

 

Warm brie with Mushrooms & Onions was a suggestion from our Facebook fans - sounds delish!

 

baked brie pecans

 

Baked Brie with Pecans - trust Martha to take something we already love to the next level of goodness!

 

spiced nuts

 

Spiced Nuts - great way to fancy up regular old nuts and perfect with a holiday cocktail!

 

spinach dip

 

Easy Spinach Dip - we asked our Facebook Fans what their fave appetizer was and Spinach Dip was a clear winner. This recipe is a classic one well known at momstown potlucks around Canada! 


chicken wing dip

Chicken Wing Dip is a popular dip for parties and our members RAVE about it! Maybe not quite the healthiest option but sure to coat that tummy that might be drinking a bit too much eggnog....

 

summerfresh dip

 

In a rush? Summerfresh makes great dips that taste like you spent the time to make them. We're partial to the Spicy Artichoke and Asiago Dip in our house.

 

Garlic Pot Dip - bake this inside a hollowed out sourdough bread and you will be a hit at any holiday party!

 

broccoli tree

 

Who could resist this bright broccoli tree? A great centrepiece that can even be dipped in the dips above.

 

Happy Cooking, Eating and Serving this holiday!

Posted by momstown mama on 11/26/2012 - 00:58
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Ice Cream Cone Christmas Trees


momstown Oakville moms and their Jr Chefs got together to have some festive fun.  We made a simple and easy treat but the kids loved it as they got to do pretty much all the work.  And there was green icing...what's not to love about that! 

 

Here is how you can make your own ice cream cone Christmas trees.

 

What you need:

-sugar cones
-white store bought icing
-green food colouring
-lots of candy 'decorations' for the trees. We used red, white and green mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, coconut, gummies and white chocolate curls.

 

ice cream cone Christmas trees

 

Instructions:


1. We gave each child two ice cream cones.  We took the white icing and stirred in a few drops of green food colouring until it reached our desired shade of green.  Then we let the kids spread the icing on their cones gently, moms supervised to make sure the trees didn't break. 

 

ice cream cone Christmas trees

 

2. Decorate the trees!  It was great to see the kids each do their own version of their perfect Christmas tree.

 

ice cream cone Christmas trees

 

The final product is delicious to eat but would also make a really cute centre piece for a holiday meal, don't you think?  You could even just use the white icing to spread on the ice cream cones and make a snow covered tree with decorations.  Lots of options!
 

For other Christmas Holiday cookies to bake with your kids, try our Cinnamon Polar Bears or Rolled Shortbread Cookies.

Posted by momstown team on 11/23/2012 - 16:35
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Healthy Holiday Dessert: Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Poached Pears


There are so many decadent desserts around the holidays.  And while I absolutely enjoy a sweet treat, one of my favourite desserts for the holidays is poached pears.  It's festive, easy to make, pretty healthy and always impresses!  This recipe also includes cinnamon which is a lovely holiday flavour.

 

What you need:

3 cups water
1 cup, firmly packed brown sugar
1 cinnamon stick (about a 3 inch piece), roughly broken
3 large, just-ripe Bosc pears, unpeeled, cored, cut into thick wedges
Low-fat  vanilla greek yogurt, frozen yogurt or ice cream, to serve

cinnamon and brown sugar poached pears

 

What you do:

-Combine water, sugar & cinnamon in a large saucepan over low heat.
-Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until the sugar dissolves.
-Add the pear and stir to combine.
-Cook, covered, for 10-15 minutes or until the pear is tender. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the pear to serving bowls.
-Once pears are out, increase to high heat & bring the syrup to a boil.
-Boil, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes or until the syrup thickens slightly.
-Divide the pears into 4 bowls or serving dishes.
-Drizzle the syrup over the pears. Serve immediately with yogurt.

 

cinnamon and brown sugar poached pears

photo credit: the communal kitchen 

 

To add an additional presentation flair, you can add fresh mint, drizzle some melted dark chocolate or use shavings or add a dash of warm liquor over each bowl.  Even though this recipe is pretty simple to make, it seems fancy and always gets rave reviews.

 

For other Holiday entertaining ideas and recipes try; 5 Easy Holiday Desserts, Magic Mint Bars and Cinnamon Polar Bear Cookies

Submitted by Kelly from momstown Oakville

Posted by momstown team on 11/13/2012 - 12:16
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Christmas Pepper Jelly

Christmas Pepper JellyThis recipe makes a firery golden, translucent jelly with colourful suspended fruit and vegetables.  Serve it with cheese or melt it onto grilled or sautéed dishes to add sparkling flavour highlights.
   

1/3 cup (75 ml) finely sliced dried apricots
3/4 cup (175 ml) white or white wine vinegar
1/4 cup (50 ml) finely diced red onion
1/4 cup (50 ml) finely diced seeded sweet red pepper
1/4 cup (50 ml) finely diced green chili peppers, including seeds (hot or sweet)
3 cups (750 ml) granulated sugar
1 pouch (85 ml) BERNARDIN Liquid Pectin

 

  • Place 6 clean 125 ml or 3 clean 250 ml mason jars on a rack in a boiling water canner; cover jars with water and heat to a simmer (180°F/82°C). Set screw bands aside.  Heat SNAP LID® sealing discs in hot water, not boiling (180°F/82°C). Keep jars and sealing discs hot until ready to use.
  • With scissors or knife, cut apricots into 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) slices. Measure into a large deep stainless steel saucepan with vinegar; let stand 4 hours. Add diced, red onion and peppers to apricots. Stir in sugar.
  • Over high heat, bring mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down.  Add liquid pectin squeezing entire contents from pouch. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and quickly skim off foam, if necessary.
  • Quickly pour jelly into a hot jar, dividing solids equally among jars and filling to within 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) of top of jar (headspace). Wipe jar rim removing any food residue. Centre hot sealing disc on clean jar rim. Screw band down until resistance is met, then increase to fingertip tight. Return filled jar to rack in canner. Repeat for remaining jelly.
  • When canner is filled, ensure that all jars are covered by at least one inch (2.5 cm) of water. Cover canner and bring water to full rolling boil before starting to count processing time. At altitudes up to 1000 ft (305 m), process –boil filled jars – 10 minutes.*
  • When processing time is complete, remove canner lid, wait 5 minutes, then remove jars without tilting and place them upright on a protected work surface. Cool upright, undisturbed 24 hours; DO NOT RETIGHTEN screw bands.
  • After cooling check jar seals. Sealed discs curve downward and do not move when pressed. Remove screw bands; wipe and dry bands and jars. Store screw bands separately or replace loosely on jars, as desired. Label and store jars in a cool, dark place. For best quality, use home canned foods within one year.

 

Makes 6 x 125 ml or 3 x 250ml jars.

 

BOILING WATER CANNER  - ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENTS
                           
* At altitudes higher than 1,000 ft (305 m) increase processing time as indicated in chart.   

ALTITUDE (FEET)              ALTITUDE (METERS)       INCREASE PROCESSING TIME
    1,001 – 3,000               306 -    915                           5 minutes
    3,001 – 6,000               916 – 1,830                         10 minutes
    6,001 – 8,000            1,831 – 2,440                         15 minutes
    8,001 –10,000            2,441 - 3,050                         20 minutes

 

QUICK TIP: Use a variety of coloured peppers for an exotic look.  Perfect for gift giving.

Posted by momstown team on 11/01/2012 - 06:54
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