TWO GREAT HOLIDAY RECIPES

The holidays offer many opportunities for fun and social gatherings. And what is one common ingredient of every social gathering? Yes, FOOD! Who of us can even imagine a party or even a casual get together where there is no food? I certainly can’t.

Below are two recipes from two different regional cookbooks that I think you will enjoy. One is a festive salad that works well for a more formal dinner occasion and the other is a delicious dessert great for a brunch or any setting where finger foods are prevalent. In either case each is a bit unique and will be a hit at your party or with your family. One reason the Holidays are so much fun is that it gives you an excuse to try some new recipes from your favorite regional cookbooks. Happy Holidays!

Festive Pear Salad
Seasoned to Taste (Page 148)

by Junior League of Chattanooga

Fresh fruit is so much fun during the holidays and this salad includes apples, pears, and cranberries—it serves 8 and is simple to make. Your guests will love the Poppy Seed Dressing

Poppy Seed Dressing:

In a bowl combine:

 ½ cup sugar

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
½ teaspoon salt
2/3 Cup olive oil
2 teaspoons poppy seeds

Mix well.

Salad:

In a salad bowl, toss:

10 cups romaine

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

1 sliced apple
1 sliced pear
¼ cup dried cranberries
½ cup chopped cashews

Add the dressing to coat.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Roll

A Thyme to Celebrate (Page 126)
by Junior League of Tallahassee

3 Eggs
2/3 Cup canned pumpkin
1 cup granulated sugar
1 Teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¾ cup all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons salted butter, softened
8 Ounces cream cheese, softened
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Cup confectioners’ sugar

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a rimmed baking sheet. Line with waxed paper and grease the waxed paper.

Beat the eggs, pumpkin, granulated sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and flour at medium speed in a mixing bowl until smooth. Pour into the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until no batter remains on your fingertips when you touch the top lightly. Do not over bake. Invert onto a clean linen towel sprinkled with confectioners’ sugar and remove the waxed paper. Roll up in the towel and let cool completely.

Beat the butter, cream cheese and vanilla at low speed in a mixing bowl until creamy. Add 1 cup confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth. Unroll the cake from the towel. Spread the cake with the cream cheese mixture and roll up to enclose the filing. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for up to two weeks or freeze for up to six months.

TESTIMONIAL TO SOCIAL MEDIA

The two co-chairs for A Thyme to Celebrate are Emily Howard and Sara Collins. These are two very "fired up" ladies who are on top of every marketing detail.  These ladies and this League are well aware that getting the word out about their fantastic book through social media will pay off in sales results. 
I received this note from them last week,

"We are so excited to tell you about the launch of our new blog, athymetocelebrate.blogspot.com! Published in 2009, A Thyme to Celebrate is the Junior League of Tallahassee's second cookbook installment. This year, we have taken on the challenge of "cooking our way through the cookbook"! Be sure to follow our adventures on the blog as we cook/bake/mix, photograph, and document each delicious recipe!"

They have promised to share some stories of the results generated from the blog. Please join me in signing up and following along with this fun and informative blog.

Another Florida Success Story, A THYME TO CELEBRATE

The Junior League of Tallahassee is a long time believer of funding their community projects through the proceeds of their cookbook sales. This League had not published a new cookbook since 1988 when Thymes Remembered was launched. Thymes Rembered sold approximately 50,000 copies over 4 printings and raised over $500,000 for the League’s many community projects.

Tallahassee, a classic “southern” city, home to a major University and the Capital City of Florida is inundated with events where food quickly becomes a focal point. It’s no wonder that the ladies of the Junior League of Tallahassee know how to cook and throw a party. Here is what the League has to say about their new title A Thyme to Celebrate:

"A Thyme to Celebrate, Junior League of Tallahassee’s second cookbook was published in October 2009. It was designed to reflect the diversity of the southern community of Tallahassee. Already a kitchen staple like its predecessor, the beautifully hardbound cookbook features a forward and recipe by Celebrity Chef Art Smith, recipes from notable Tallahasseeans and some of our favorite restaurants, culinary tips, recipe nutritional information and little-known Tallahassee tidbits. In order to raise funds to pay for the cookbook, several factors were involved, including a sponsorship drive, pre-sales campaign, a Taste and Toast Launch Party held in September 2009, community partnerships and retail placement.

As we begin our 2010-2011 League year, we are “Tickled Pink” to announce that within a few months of the book’s publication, more than 4,000 books sold, and thus we have paid off the cookbook! Now, all of the proceeds go straight into funding projects benefiting children and families in the Tallahassee area. The ongoing goal for this year is to continue to increase the sales of our cookbook both at the local and regional level. By cultivating the relationships with our current community and retail partners and garnering new ones, advertising in regional and national publications and having a presence at local events, we are already well on our way to depleting our inventory and ordering more books to print. A Thyme to Celebrate is more than just a cookbook; it is valuable tool to making real changes in our community—helping others never tasted so good!

A perfect addition to your own collection, or an ideal gift for holidays, weddings and birthdays, cookbooks can be purchased directly through the League office by calling 850-224-9161 or visiting www.jltallahassee.org.

Tickled Pink
1 (12-ounce) bottle lemon-flavored beer
1 (12-ounce) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 cup vodka
Crushed ice
4 lime wedges

Mix the beer, lemonade concentrate and vodka in a bowl. Fill a blender container halfway with crushed ice and add one-half of the beer mixture. Process until slushy. Pour into a serving pitcher. Repeat with the remaining beer mixture and crushed ice. Pour into glasses and garnish each with a lime wedge. Serves 4.

Recipe found on page 163 of A Thyme to Celebrate "

Remember, when you buy a true “community” cookbook you not only get a great value for your money, but you are also helping others in need. The profits from every Junior League cookbook sold support worthwhile projects within the community—volunteerism and generosity of spirit is something that sets the US apart from all other societies.