Lemon Sugar Cookies

2 3/4 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup butter
2 c sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp lemon flavoring
3 Tbls lemon juice
1 c quick oats

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. In large bowl, cream butter and sugar, add eggs, beating well. Beat in lemon flavoring and juice. Gradually add flour mixture and then stir in oats. Chill for about 2 hours.

Make balls with approximatly 1 T of dough at a time. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart. Flatten with a glass (grease bottom of glass with butter and dip into sugar).

Bake at 375 degrees for about 8-10 min. Makes 4 dozen

Sugar Cookies (crisp)

1 c white sugar
1 c shortening (white, not butter flavored)
2 eggs - beaten
2 T milk
3 cups flour
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp soda

cream sugar & shortening, add eggs and mix well. Add milk and vanilla. Sift together the flour, cream of tartar and soda and add to creamed mixture. Beat well.

You can chill this and roll them out and use cookie cutters, or you can make a round log, chill well and slice. Bake at 350 degrees for about 8 - 10 min each. Be sure you watch them close so you do not overbake them.

English Wassail Spiced Hot Cider

3/4 cup sugar
2 quarts apple juice
1 pint cranberry juice
1 teaspoon aromatic bitters
1 cup rum
2 sticks cinnamon
1 teaspoon whole allspice
1 small orange, washed well and studded with cloves

Dissolve sugar in juices in crockpot. Add remaining ingredients, allowing orange with cloves to float while simmering. Cook on high for 1 hour. Simmer on low for 4 to 8 hours.

Appetizer - Three Cheeses N Ham

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
3 slices Smoked Ham, finely chopped
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Tbsp. chopped red bell peppers
1 Tbsp. sliced green onions
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper

Spread softened cream cheese onto bottom of 2-1/2-cup microwaveable dish. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese, ham and Parmesan cheese.

Microwave on HIGH 1 min. or until heated through.

Top the spread with bell peppers, onions and ground pepper. Serve with your favorite crackers.

White Chocolate Latte

2 cups milk
1 cup cream or half-n-half
2/3 cup white chocolate morsels
2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Whipped cream (optional)
Garnish: cinnamon sticks

Stir first 4 ingredients together in a small saucepan over low heat until white chocolate is melted. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts; pour evenly into 4 mugs. Top with whipped cream, and garnish with chocolate or cinnamon sticks, if desired, and serve immediately.
Makes 4 cups

Basic White Sauce

Basic white sauce is the mainstay of many delicious sauces for a savy cook.

You do not have to be a savy cook however to make this very easy sauce base.

Once made you can refridgerate it for use another time. (it will keep tightly covered in the back coldest part of your fridge for 2 weeks)

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 dash white pepper
1 cup milk

DIRECTIONS:
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually whisk in the milk.

Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Use immediately or refrigerate.

Suggested uses:

Cheese Sauce: To the hot basic white sauce, add 1/2 cup of your favorite grated cheese (or a combination of several cheeses equalling 1/2 cup.)

Mustard Sauce: Add 2 Tblsp of brown spicy mustard to the sauce,
stir well. (More if you desire a stronger mustard taste)

White Wine Sauce: Substitute the milk for 1 cup white wine, and add 1 tsp chopped fresh parsley. Perfect for pouring over chicken.

Creamy Garlic Sauce: Add 1 tsp chopped fresh garlic and 1 tsp freshly chopped parsley. Salt and pepper to taste.

Creamy Alfredo Sauce: Substitute 1/2 the milk with 1/2 cup chicken broth, add 1/4 cup romano cheese and 4 oz cream cheese, cubed.

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