Easy Homemade Caramels

During the holidays I am always looking for ways to recreate family memories. One such memory for me is the homemade caramels my grandma and aunts used to make. My good friend Stephanie shared this super easy and almost fail-proof way to make this memory happen for my family lickety-split!



1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup karo syrup
1 can sweetened condensed milk

In a large microwave safe bowl melt the butter. Then add the remaining ingredients mix well and microwave 7- 7 1/2 minutes. Remove from microwave and stir then microwave another 7 minutes. (Depending on your microwave you may have to allot more or less time. Check the caramels and take them out before they get too dark.) Stir and pour into a well buttered 9 x 13 pan. Refrigerate to set. Cut into 1 inch pieces and wrap in wax paper. Store in an air tight container in fridge.

 

Rosemary Chicken

This recipe comes from a Rachel Ray episode on Food Network. I changed it a bit and only made the chicken from her menu.

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 TBS balsamic vinegar
2 TBS olive oil
3 stems fresh rosemary, leaves stripped and chopped
salt and pepper
2-4 cloves of garlic crushed

In a shallow dish place chicken and top with oil and vinegar. Turn to make sure they are covered Season with salt and pepper, rosemary and crushed garlic. Let set for 10 minutes.

Heat a heavy skillet to medium/high heat. transfer chicken to skillet and cook 12 minutes or until juices run clear, turning occasionally.

Serve with a salad, garlic mashed potatoes, or your favorite pasta with a marinara or alfredo sauce.

Pavlova's

Thanks to my Aunt Colleen we have this yummy treat as a family favorite.

Meringue

4 eggs at room temperature
1/4 tsp cream of tarter
1 cup of Sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Whipped Cream:

1/2 pint of heavy whipping cream
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional)

Toppings:

Fresh fruit

Directions:

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper of foil. Use a metal or glass bowl or the meringues will not work! Beat eggs until foamy then gradually add sugar, vanilla, and cream of tartar. Beat until stiff peaks form. Spoon Meringue onto sheets to form palm sized circles. With the back of the spoon indent each meringue just a little to make a well. Place in oven. Reduce heat to 250 degrees. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until the meringues can hold there shape and are firm on the outside. Set aside and cool.

For whipping cream: if you want a slightly sweet cream add sugar or for a more fresh and light taste omit. In our house we love the sugar! Combine the cream, sugar and vanilla in a metal or glass bowl for best results, whip until soft peaks form.

Spoon a tablespoon or so of the whipped cream on top each meringue then top with fresh fruit. Only top the meringues you plan on eating right away. Store the remainder in an airtight container.

For plating you can sprinkle powdered sugar on top for an extra special touch.

Sunday Rolls

I have spent many years trying to find the perfect roll recipe that I could make. Last year a friend in our ward, Shauna Karen, taught a Relief Society class on making these perfect Sunday Rolls. I have since taken her lesson and added some things to my families liking and now have the best, roll recipe ever!Combine warm water, sugar and yeast- set aside. Melt butter/margarine. Beat eggs and salt in large mixer (I use my Bosch with the whisk attachment). Add melted butter/margarine. Add yeast mixture when it has quite a bit of foam. Add flour (I change out my mixing attachment on my Bosch to the bread tool before I start adding the flour) mix thoroughly. Dough may still be sticky. Cover dough and let rise 3-4 hours. This first rise is the most important and can be the longest.

Punch dough down and divide into sections equal to the number of dozen you are making.

Roll dough on a greased area, I use Pam, spray your hands too. Roll the dough into a circle about 12-16 inches across. Then with a pizza cutter cut the circle into 12 triangles. Trying to make them even (I am not good at that yet as you can see below.)

Roll up each triangle from the widest part first.

Place on a greased baking sheet with the end point under the roll.

Cover with clean dish towels and let rise another 2 hours or until doubled. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes until done.