Thursday, December 15, 2011

More Christmas Goodies!

A word of warning: Neither of these recipes contains anything healthy or low calorie.

Does this mean I will be throwing calorie counting and healthy eating away during the holidays? Absolutely NOT! It just means that I won't be eating some of the goodies.

Do I feel cheated? Absolutely NOT! I spent years eating foods that were not from the 'best choices' category- thus these hundred pounds I still have to lose. Now, it's just not worth it.

 I tasted a smidgey bite of the cheese candy and it didn't taste that great. BUT that was because my tastes are different now, so things taste different--you know, too sweet or sugary or to salty, that kind of thing-- and I don't worry about having them around. The cheese candy used to be one of my favorite things that Aunt Betty makes every year.

These recipes could have been altered but I decided to leave them be for the folks that are still eating whatever they want to eat without worrying about health or calories. The only changes I made were using organic where I could.

Crabbies

1-6 oz. can crabmeat, drained (can use 4 oz. fresh crabmeat)                        
1 jar Old English Cheese spread (not sure that there's a substitute for this)  
1 stick butter (I used Kerry Irish butter from grass fed cows)
1 1/2 tsp. mayonnaise (I just used Duke's because I'm southern and that's what we use)
1/2 tsp. garlic salt (I used garlic powder)
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
6 English muffins (I used the 100 calories ones--I've not found gluten free ones, but I haven't taken the time to look either)

Split English muffins in half and place on cookie sheet.  Blend remaining ingredients thoroughly and spread evenly on English muffin halves.  Freeze.  Cut each half into 6-8 pieces (triangles).  Broil 5-7 minutes until bubbly.  Makes 72-96 pieces.  You can make these and keep them in the freezer for weeks before cooking and serving them. I estimate each little, tiny wedge to have about 33 calories.


The crabbie ingredients...

all mixed up and ready to spread...

You can cut the English muffins into 6ths before putting them into the freezer OR wait and do it before you broil them. I usually wait and cut them frozen.

Aunt Betty's Cheese Candy

2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
1 large package cream cheese (I used light and organic)
1 box sifted powdered sugar (I used organic)
1 tsp. vanilla

Toast pecans slightly.  Melt cream cheese in double boiler.  Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and pecans to the melted cheese.  Mix thoroughly.  Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto wax paper.  Let become firm before removing from wax paper. I think I ended up with 3 or 4 dozen. I've estimated one piece of cheese candy to contain about 100 calories.

This is what they look like on the wax paper.

Just a close-up view.



AND NOW it's time for the guest blog post for the 25 Days of Christmas Blogshare at MY SIMPLE WALK:

In just 10 days it will be Christmas! Please come join me over at My Simple Walk, for a countdown. I
will have my family's top 10 all-time favorite Christmas movies, the 10 best songs of the holiday season, and 10 last minute, make in less than a day, gift ideas with patterns and instructions for each! Shhhhh....There may be a few other surprises as well.


12 comments:

  1. Those crabbies look so good - and easy to make. Thanks!

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  2. Kim- They are so simple! And, usually, they are the first goodies GONE! LOL

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  3. Oh, yum! Those crabbies are something I will definitely try. Our seafood allergy person will not be here at Christmas and I can indulge myself. Top of the list.

    I'll post the recipes tomorrow for the cookies. Gotta dig them out!

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  4. Stephanie- They are DELICIOUS! I hope you enjoy them! And thank you for digging out the recipe! Can't wait!!!

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  5. You had me at cheese! Those both look amazing! :D

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  6. Sounds as if there is going to be a lot of fun going on over at your blog leading up to Christmas, Pam! It's surprising how your tastes can change when you're not eating those things that aren't always good for you, and good for you that you are not going to succumb over the next couple of weeks. Why waste all that effort that you have already put in. Take care.

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  7. Biz- Guess what my soup is going to be for the oyster roast? YOUR Irish Potato Soup!!!

    Diane- It was a big surprise to me! I thought I'd love it like I always do but, nope! And that's a good thing. Let's keep our fingers crossed that I don't succumb to any temptations! Thanks!

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  8. I want some now!!!!
    They sound so delicious, thank you.
    I admire your will power.

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  9. Diet or not diet, I thought both of those recipes looked like something I would fall into and have a hard time climbing out of!

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  10. The crabbies look so good. My mom uses Old English cheese in a cheese ball she makes...sometimes it is very hard to find!

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  11. I was looking for a couple of new recipes for homemade gifts. Thanks for sharing. The pecans look particularly yummy. But since nuts are on the hit list for kidney stones; I won't be overindulging in them.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! It makes me feel connected to everyone even though we may live far apart! Have a wonderful day!

 
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