THE VILLAGE VOICE

“O, wind, if winter comes,  can spring be far behind?" ~ Percy Shelley Winter  at Hubbard Lake CANDIED PECANS  (Compliments of Two Peas & Their Pod ) 1/2  cup granulated sugar 1/2  cup light brown sugar 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon 1  tsp. salt 16  ounces (about 4 cups) unsalted pecan halves 1 egg white 1/2  tsp. vanilla extract 1  tsp water Preheat oven to 300º. Line a large baking sheet with a Silpat baking mat or parchment paper and set aside. In a medium bowl, add sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk until combined. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk the egg white, vanilla, and water together until fluffy. Add Pecans and gently toss until pecans are well coated. Add the sugar and cinnamon mixture and toss until pecans are covered.  Spread pecans out in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 40-45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. The sugar...

See the blazing yule before us, fa la la la la la, la la la la. ~ A delightful evening by the fireside (Hubbard Lake) ____________ ROASTED CHESTNUTS ~ Simple yuletide fun shared with family and friends Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Cut an 'X' on the flat side of each chestnut. Arrange nuts in single layer on a baking sheet and bake 20-30 minutes, turning often, until outer shell and inner skin can peel away easily. Peel with the help of a small sharp knife and eat while HOT to the fingers. ____________ ORANGE-INFUSED MULLED WINE ~ Perfect fireside drink ________ 1 bottle Burgandy , Cabernet sauvignon , claret or other red wine 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup port, brandy, or Grand Marnier (optional) juice of 1 lemon 1 Tbsp. whole allspice 1 tsp. whole cloves strips of 1 whole orange 3 cinnamon sticks additional cinnamon sticks Combine wine, sugar, port (brandy or Grand Marnier ), lemon juice, allspice, cloves, orange strips and cinnamon in large pot. Simmer gently for 20 minutes (do...

~ Poinsettia ( Euphorbia pulcherrima ) _________ History & Legends The Aztecs called poinsettias " Cuetlaxochitl ." During the 14 th - 16 th century the sap was used to control fevers and the bracts (modified leaves) were used to make a reddish dye. Montezuma, the last of the Aztec kings, would have poinsettias brought into what now is Mexico City by caravans because poinsettias could not be grown in the high altitude. In the 17 th century, Juan Balme , a botanist, noted the poinsettia plant in his writings. The botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima , was assigned to the poinsettia by the German botanist, Wilenow . The plant grew through a crack in his greenhouse. Dazzled by its color, he gave it the botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima meaning "very beautiful." ~ The Poinsettia Pages (University of Illinois Extension) _________________ POINSETTIA ~ Santa NEVER says "NO" ... __________ 1/2 oz. Triple Sec or Cointreau 3 oz. Cranberry juice sl...

' Tis the Season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. ~ Jolly ol ' souls on the Christmas tree ____________ CHAMPAGNE-POMEGRANATE COCKTAIL 8 oz. champagne or sparkling chilled wine 2 Tbsp. pomegranate juice 1 cube turbinado sugar or 1 rock candy stirrer Place sugar cube in champagne flute (or rock candy stirrer); add 2 Tbsp. pomegranate juice and 8 oz. Champagne or sparkling wine. Serve immediately. Both will dissolve adding a tad of sweetness. (1 serving) ______________ SWEET & SPICY NUTS 1 lb. fancy pecan halves 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. honey 1 Tbsp. water 10 Tbsp. Turbinado 'sugar in the raw' sugar 1 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/8 tsp. ground cloves 1/8-1/4 tsp. cayenne 1/2 tsp. coarse salt Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Warm honey & water ~ do not allow to boil. Mix well and cool to room temperature. In small bowl, combine 1/2 cup Turbinado sugar and spices. In large bowl, combine honey mixture & nuts. Toss well until nuts are thoroughly c...