(o: Secret Sister Swap #2 Holiday Favorites (July '06 - Dec. '06) :o)

Here we go again! As I did for the very first Secret Sister Swap, I collected recipes from the participants of the second Secret Sister Swap to compile into yet another cookbook of treasured T & T Faves!!!! I begged! I nagged! I begged and nagged some more, and a majority of those wonderful Sisters came through for me yet again with a veritable plethora of awesome recipes! This second cookbook actually has 6 separate sections with well over 500 recipes collected! My initial foray into the archives to collect hidden treasures like I did for the first SS cookbook proved to be far too difficult a task, as we all know how well the infamous 'search feature' has been working these past months!! ! :o) NOT!! Anyway...... here again, is the end result of all my persistent nagging! Were it not for the generosity of all those awesome ladies, this cookbook would never have come to be! If you saw the first one I did, either by requesting a copy of it or on the 'Favorite' thread I posted here on Recipes, you'll find this second one to be quite different! AND, dare I hope, just a bit more FUN because of all the extras I included!!

Again, special thanks to ALL the SS's who contributed recipes!! As in the first, there were several ladies I dubbed as 'Honorary Sisters' because they were not actually a part of the swap, but DID share a few of their Faves!!

Extra special Thanks to two fantastic moderators HDMac (Marcia) and cllw (Linda), who did a really bang up job with this second group!! As great a job as you did on the first swap, you did an even more awesome job on the second one!! You know, you two could make this your full time jobs!! Oh!! Sorry!! You already HAVE!! :O) Seriously, you two are the bestest!!!

This is dedicated to ALL of you Awesome Sisters and Fantabulous Cooks!!

† God's Special Blessings on EACH of you †

This cookbook project definitely will take a few days to complete. Because there are well over 500 recipes total, I think I'll post each section separately to make it easier to find specific recipes!! Each thread will start out the same as this one to tie them all together! Each thread will be categorized and the recipes and their contributors listed alphabetically at the beginning of each thread. At the very end, I will, as is becoming my habit with these rather lengthy threads, make a page by page index of all the recipes in THAT particular thread. Perhaps you may want to print a copy of it to make it easier to find a particular recipe or two!! Just a thought! :O)

The 6 sections are:
Secret Sisters Favorite Recipes! (167 recipes)
Secret Sister Swap #2 Summertime Faves!! (67 recipes)
Secret Sister Swap #2 Popcorn Recipes!!! (This was a LOT of fun!) (66 recipes)
Secret Sister Swap #2 Fall Favorites!! (99 recipes)
Secret Sister Swap #2 Holiday Favorites!! (94 recipes)
Secret Sister Swap #2 Travelin' Recipes..... (You gotta see this one to believe it!:O) (16 rec.)

And so it began..................

........... Did someone say Holiday Season? :O)

"Yup!! It's that time, ladies!! I'm now ready to start working on what I think could become the biggest and best section in YOUR Secret Sister Swap Cookbook!!! So if you could take a moment out of your hectic pre-holiday schedule to share a recipe or two or more, it would be most appreciated!!! If you're like me, you have so many Holiday Faves, you hardly know where to begin!!! Right? So I'll start the ball rolling on this one and post the one recipe I absolutely HAVE to make each and every Christmas!! 

'Tis the season to be jolly.................

'Let it snow, let it snow, let in s...................

'I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...................

Let the cooking and baking begin!! Ladies? Start your ovens, mixers, whatever..........just get 'em started!!!

{{{{{{{{{{Huge Sister HUGS to ALL}}}}}}}}}}

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Secret Sister Swap #2 Holiday Favorites !! - '06 (94 recipes)

 "With all the busyness of the holiday season looming, the Sisters loaded up a sleigh and took off on yet another adventure. This one required a team of very special reindeer to pull them along their travels through blinding snow storms, Pacific northwest torrential rains, gorgeous fall foliage in the mountains of Appalachia and the Rockies, the heat of an Australian summer.......... Of course, the Sister's various pets were NOT to be outdone. They pitched right in to help pull that sleigh through all Mother Nature could throw at them. A good time was had by all, especially once they got to Las Vegas..........."

"The reindeer :

S - Shimon
E - Ezekiel
C - Christofel
R - Rueben
E - Eliehu
T - Thaddeus

S - Saul
I - Izaak
S - Silas
T - Tiberias
E - Erasmus
R - Raphael

The helpers :

Donut, Harley, Sam, Biscuit, BoBo, Bailey, Toby,
Phoebe, Kahlua, Max, Lemonade, Snowflake,
Spunky, Button......................

....... did I forget to mention the firemen, Gizmo, Beulah and Beauregarde? :O)"

Ho, ho, ho.............

Holiday Appetizers (12 recipes)
Artichoke Dip - KC10
Artichoke Shrimp Dip - mrschieflww
Crab Dip - gavingrma_OH
Crab Mold - fancyb
Creamy Crab Cheesecake - grammacookie
Dottie's Dirty Martini Dip - cllw
Hot Crab Dip - KC10
Monterey Pumpkin Dip - cllw
Shrimp Spread - gavingrma_OH
Shrimp Stuffed Celery - nlf_PA
Sweet and Sour Kielbasa - zaiahsgramma
Teriyaki Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts - fancyb

Holiday Beverages (4 recipes)
Hot Punch - KC10
Kahlua - kaly_ab
Mama's Green Punch - mrschieflww
Peppermint Patty - KC10

Holiday Candy (23 recipes)
Alice Schmidt's Candy - KC10
Alice Schmidt's Caramels - KC10
Alice Schmidt's Chocolate Coating - KC10
Angel Food/Honeycomb - KC10
Butterfinger Candy - purplechef_fl
Caramel Mallow Roll-Up -KC10
Cashew Brittle - y2k
Cherry Sugarplums - purplechef_fl
Chocolate Fudge - y2k
Chocolate Peanut Clusters - sandee1
Cinnamon Rock Candy - beecuzican_PA
Divinity - maryann146
Fort Worth Peanut Butter Fudge - GrdnrTxn
Michelle's Millionaires - kaly_ab
Microwave Fudge - y2k
Never Fail 5-Minute Fudge - y2k
Nightscotman's Strawberry Marshmallows - purplechef_fl
Rocky Road Fudge - y2k
Rollo Turtles - purplechef_fl
See's Fudge - fancyb
Tiger Butter - MissPeggy_GA
Truffles - purplechef_fl
Vegan Peanut Butter Fudge - y2k

Holiday Cookies (17 recipes)
Almond Butter Cutouts - KC10
Butter Crisps - KC10
Butterscotch Chip Chocolate Cookies - beecuzican_PA
Candy Bar Cookies - KC10
Cashew Sandwich Cookies - nlf_PA
Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies - beecuzican_PA
Chocolate Roll Cookie - KC10
German Chocolate Toffee Cookies - fancyb
Lime Meltaways - grammacookie
Linzer Torte Cookies - nlf_PA
Lofthouse Cookie Frosting - beecuzican_PA
Lofthouse Cookies - beecuzican_PA
Nutmeg Meltaways - AnickaD
Raspberry Almond Shortbread - KC10
Soft Molasses Cookies - beecuzican_PA
Split Second Cookies - nlf_PA
Sugar Cookies - purplechef_fl

Holiday Desserts (7 recipes)
Candy Cane Cheesecake - KC10
Cream Cheese Crescent Roll Dessert - beecuzican_PA
Eggnog Custard Pie - cllw
New Year's Eve Pie w/Flaming Orange Sauce - KC10
Peanut Butter Cup Pie - nlf_PA
Peppermint Chiffon Pie - KC10
Toasted Almond Pudding - GrdnrTxn

Holiday Misc. (3 recipes)
Kutia - kaly_ab
Sausage & Apples - Margielou_WA
Stuffing W/Bacon - Angielikes2cook

Holiday Salads (9 recipes)
Antipasto Salad - GrdnrTxn
Aunt Clara's Frozen Fruit Salad - nlf_PA
Chicken Salad - mrschieflww
Frozen Mint Salad - Margielou_WA
Grandma's Fruit Salad - Bouchies_Baker
Grape Salad - mrschieflww
Hot Turkey Salad - KC10
No Headache Holiday Sauce - KC10
Texas Pecan Ambrosia w/Margarita Dressing - mrschieflww

Holiday Sweet Treats (14 recipes)
Cheesecake Cupcakes - fancyb
Cherry Pistachio Bread - AnickaD
Cherry Slice - kaly_ab
Chocolate Syrup Brownies - maryann146
Nut Goodie Bars - KC10
Pina Colada Fruitcake - Margielou_WA
Poppy Seed Tea Bread - kaly_ab
Pumpkin Bars - Margielou_WA
Pumpkin Bars - maryann146
Pumpkin Nut Bread - maryann146
Rosettes - kaly_ab
Royal Icing - purplechef
Sticky Buns - beecuzican_PA
The Ultimate Nanaimo Bar Recipe - kaly_ab

Holiday Vegetables (5 recipes)
Baked Eggplant Casserole - pat48_TX
Cabbage Rolls - Holubchi - kaly-ab (also in Fall Faves Section)
Candied Yams - KC10
Easy Corn Pudding - nlf_PA
Old Fashioned Candied Yams - Margielou_WA

Holiday Appetizers ~
    Artichoke Dip - KC10
    Artichoke Shrimp Dip - mrschieflww
    Crab Dip - gavingrma_OH
    Crab Mold - fancyb
    Creamy Crab Cheesecake - grammacookie
    Dottie's Dirty Martini Dip - cllw
    Hot Crab Dip - KC10
    Monterey Pumpkin Dip - cllw
    Shrimp Spread - gavingrma_OH
    Shrimp Stuffed Celery - nlf_PA
    Sweet and Sour Kielbasa - zaiahsgramma
    Teriyaki Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts - fancyb

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Artichoke Dip

Posted by: KC10  -  Posted on: 11/1/06
Originally posted KC10's Favorite Recipes on 1/1/2006

Kay says, "Don't know how long ago I got this recipe. The brother who shared it always called it his "1 cup, 1 cup, 1 can" recipe!! It is pretty awesome!!"

Artichoke Dip

1 c. mayonnaise
1 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts

 Combine all and place in small casserole. Bake at 350º for approx. 20 - 25 minutes. Serve with assorted crackers or flat bread.

Artichoke Shrimp Dip

Posted by: mrschiefl2ww  -  Posted on: 11/2/2006

mrschieflww (Nancy W) says, "One more I like to do during the holidays is this dip. I got this one from my sister, Cathy, who in turn got it from a very popular local restaurant, Poor Richard's."

Artichoke Shrimp Dip

1 (13.75 ounce) can of artichoke hearts
6 ounces chopped cooked shrimp
6 ounces mayonnaise
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
3 dashes of Tabasco pepper sauce
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1/8 cup red bell pepper, diced fine
1/8 cup green onion, diced fine

 Drain all the brine from artichokes; squeeze all liquid out. Chop artichokes coarsely. Mix all ingredients well. Bake in a small casserole dish at 375 degrees until brown. Serve warm with tortilla chips or favorite crackers.

(An au gratin dish is perfect to bake this in)

Crab Dip

Posted by: gavingrma_OH  -  Posted on: 11/2/2006

gavingrma_OH (Sue) says, "Another dip we like to serve is- "

Crab Dip

2 cans crab - picked through
1 cup Hellman's® mayonnaise - low fat
4 hard boiled eggs - chopped
1 small onion, minced
8 (12 oz.) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
8 oz. cream cheese - low fat is fine

 Combine all ingredients in microwave safe bowl. Microwave until cheese is melted stirring every few minutes.

 I microwave for about 1 minute 30 seconds then stir. I have not made it since last year but I think it takes about 4-5 minutes total.

Crab Mold

Posted by: fancyb  -  Posted on: 12/1/2006

fancyb (Brenda) says, " Here is one, that is very good. - Great for the holidays."

Crab Mold

1 can cream mushroom soup
1 pkg. envelope unflavored gelatin
12 oz. cream cheese ( use 1- 8 oz. and 1/2 of another 8 oz.), keep at room temp. so     it is soft to mix.
1/4 c. yellow onion (chopped finely) ( more if you want more)
1/4 c. celery ( chopped finely) ( more if you want more)
1/2 lb. of imitation crab, chopped fine.

 Heat soup (undiluted) take off stove and mix in gelatin, (dissolved in 3 Tb.. cold water) when soup mixture is pretty cool, mix in remaining ingredients.
 
 **Mix cream cheese, onions, celery & crab together prior to mixing into soup. Pour mixture into a mold of your choice (I use the tupperware ring mold) Chill overnight. Invert on to serving platter, add black olives into the center, serve with crackers.

Creamy Crab Cheesecake

Posted by: grammacookie  -  Posted on: 12/4/2006

grammacookie (Doreen) says, "I make this every year for Christmas as an appetizer. I have also made it with salmon, shrimp or tuna. They are all great."

Creamy Crab Cheesecake

1 cup crushed Ritz Crackers (about 25)
3 Tablespoons Melted Butter
2 pkgs. cream cheese, softened (8 oz each)
3/4 cup sour cream, divided
3 eggs
2 teaspoons grated onion
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning, or more to taste
2-3 drops tabasco
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup crab-meat, picked over for shells

 Mix cracker crumbs and butter. Pat into bottom of greased 9 inch spring-form pan.
Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack as you make filling. Reduce heat to 325.
 In a mixing bowl combine cream cheese and ¼ cup sour cream until smooth. Add eggs, beat on low until just combined. Add onion, lemon juice, and seasonings and beat until blended then fold in crab. Pour over crust and bake 35-40 minutes or until center is almost set.
 Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a sharp knife around edge of pan to loosen.
Cool 1 hour then spread remaining sour cream over top. Refrigerate overnight then remove from pan. Let come to room temp about 30 minutes before serving.
 Serve with crackers and cut into wedges to use as a spread.

* Doreen - "I usually make a circle around the outside of the top of chopped green onions and then an inner circle of sliced black olives. Then sprinkle more Bay Seasoning in the center. Looks nice that way."

Dottie's Dirty Martini Olive Dip

Posted by: KC10  -  Posted on: 11/26/2006
Originally posted on Recipes Board by Holly_GA
Reposted & Reviewed by cllw on: 8/1/2006

KC10 (Kay) says, "Here's a Linda recommended treat!! And I have to say, I absolutely positively agree with her!! - I have to share my review on this recipe!! IMHO, it's that good!! -

Subject: Rec. & Rev. ~ Dottie's Dirty Martini Olive Dip ~ Posted by Holly_GA; recommended by cllw!! Holy cow!! This is great!!!!:O) -

"I guess the subject line pretty much tells you what I think of this one!! lol This stuff is addictive!! I was looking for something new and different to add to the table of appetizers for the family Thanksgiving feast this year and decided it was time to pull this out of that infamous "to try pile"!! I'd been wanting to try it ever since Linda recommended it back in Aug.!! I just never had a really good opportunity to pull it until now!! Care to guess how much is left? :O) You got it!! Not even a tiny dab!!! roflol Already the family has requested I make it again for the Christmas celebrations!! And they want a copy of the recipe, too!! So.........
We also had some smoked salmon on the appetizer table. This dip was a perfect accompaniment!! There was no salmon left, either!! :O) - Thanks, Holly, for sharing this treasure!! And to Linda for reposting and recommending it!!

cllw (Linda) says, "I went and bought all the ingredients for this that I didn't have, but the vermouth. He asked me if I wanted sweetened or dry. I am sure I have never bought vermouth-so can you tell me whether I want sweetened or dry. Is there a Name that is better than another? - I can't wait to try this recipe! Thanks!"

Dottie's Dirty Martini Dip

First, marinate your dirty martini olives -

Dottie's Marinated Martini Dirty Olives:

1 cup pimiento-stuffed green olives
2 Tablespoons gin
2 Tablespoons vermouth
1 Tablespoon of the olive brine from the pimiento-stuffed green olives
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
5 (1/4-inch wide) strips lemon peel, each about 3-inches long

 Combine all ingredients in a non-reactive dish and cover tightly. Allow olives to marinate at least 2 to 3 hours or up to 4 days in the refrigerator. (If you are only marinating them for a few hours, leave the olives in the marinade at room temperature.)

Yield: 1 cup olives

 Note: These olives are great in martinis and also double as a quick party hors d'oeuvre. If you plan on using them exclusively as an hors d'oeuvre, drizzle a little extra-virgin olive.

Dottie's Dirty Martini Olive Dip

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup Hellmann's® mayonnaise
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped green onion
6 slices deli bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled
5 ounces of Dottie's Marinated Martini Dirty Olives, drained & chopped
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco pepper sauce

 Combine all ingredients together. Refrigerate until ready to serve. May be made up to 2 days ahead. If desired, cook an additional strip of bacon or reserve one strip to crumble over the top.

Hot Crab Dip

Posted by: KC10 -  Posted on: 11/10/06
Originally posted on KC10's Favorite Recipes on 1/15/2004

Kay says, "I got this recipe a year ago this past Christmas. One of my brothers was the host and he pulled out all the stops! This has become a "new family fave"!! - Mmm-m-m-m-m!"

Hot Crab Dip

1 (8 oz. ) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 small can crab meat, drained
1/2 c. sour cream
1 Tb. milk
2 Tb. chopped onion
1/2 tsp. horseradish
1/4 tsp. salt
dash of pepper and worcestershire sauce
slivered almonds

 Drain crab meat and put on paper towel while preparing other ingredients. Mix cream cheese, sour cream, milk, onion, horseradish, salt, pepper and worcestershire sauce. Add crab meat and mix well. Place in 1 qt. casserole and bake in 350º oven for 20 minutes. Serve hot with assorted crackers.

Monterey Pumpkin Dip

Posted by: cllw  -  Posted on: 12/1/2006

cllw (Linda) says, "Okay, I will add a recipe for you! This one really surprised us as SO good and have made it several times since finding it. DS took it to his company carry in for Thanksgiving and came home with an empty container.~ They were all surprised to find out it's secret ingredient. - This tastes like the bean dip that everyone loves, without some the side effects. This is great using low-fat, no-fat. - I buy the imitation shredded cheese and add that over the top, even though it isn't in the original recipe. I served it with multi grain Tostitos®. Delicious whether you are healthy or on a heart healthy regimen!"

Monterey Pumpkin Dip

1 can (15 oz.) LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 pkg. (8 oz.) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons sliced jalapeños juice
1 container (8 oz.) light sour cream
1 can (4 oz.) diced green chiles
2 tablespoons chopped, sliced jalapeños
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
1 can (2 1/4 oz.) sliced ripe olives
2 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
cheddar cheese for sprinkling over the top (optional)

1 serving of tortilla chips

COMBINE pumpkin, cream cheese and jalapeño juice in medium bowl. Spread into 8-inch square baking dish.

COMBINE sour cream, chiles, jalapeños and garlic salt in small bowl. Spread over pumpkin mixture. Top with tomato, olives, green onions and red onion. Cover; refrigerate for 2 hours. Serve with tortilla chips.

Shrimp Spread

Posted by: gavingrma_OH  -  Posted on: 11/2/2006

gavingrma_OH (Sue) says, "I have to make this every year. It is originally from TOH but I don't use the canned shrimp - I use frozen. We always serve shrimp cocktail so I cook 4-6 pounds and take out about 20 for this spread."

Shrimp Spread

"This colorful and tasty appetizer is always a crowd-pleaser," says Norene Wright of Manilla, Indiana. "People will never know you've used lighter ingredients.

1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 cup seafood cocktail sauce
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
15-20 frozen shrimp, cleaned, cooked and chopped into small pieces
3 green onions, sliced
3/4 cup finely chopped tomato

 In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise until smooth. Spread on a 12-in. round serving platter. Cover with seafood sauce. Sprinkle with cheese, shrimp, onions and tomato. Cover and chill. Yield: 8-10 servings.

 I serve with club crackers.

Shrimp Stuffed Celery

Posted by: nlf_PA  -  Posted on: 11/3/2006

Shrimp Stuffed Celery

1 bunch celery, separated into ribs
1 pkg. (3 oz.) cream cheese, room temperature
2 Tb. mayonnaise
1 can (6 oz.) tiny shrimp, rinsed and finely chopped
1 Tb. each, finely chopped onion, green pepper and stuffed olives
5 - 6 drops hot pepper sauce
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. salt

 Cut celery into 2" pieces. FINELY chop one piece celery (less than 1 T.); set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients and reserved chopped celery. Stuff celery ribs. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

 Makes about 20 - 2" well filled celery ribs.