Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Wassail


Oh...this is by far one of my Holiday Favs! Growing up my Mom would make this at Christmas Time and Christmas music would be playing, family would fill the house, Christmas decorations would be up....such incredible memories! This recipe is awesome! Not only does it make your house smell FANTASTIC, but it tastes incredible! And it's so easy! Make it this Christmas! And every Christmas after that. Your kids will thank you for it!

WASSAIL
(recipe from my talented, incredible Aunt Dana)
1 46oz can pineapple juice
1 64oz jar apple juice
6 cups orange juice (which is a regular 12oz can frozen concentrate prepared normally)
6 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp. whole cloves

Throw ingrediants together in a LARGE stock pot. Turn on Christmas music. Warm over stove all day long! Enjoy whenever you feel like it! SOOOO GOOOD.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Green Bean Bundles


Okay people. These are the best things ever! I first had them at my beloved mother-in-law's Thanksgiving spread. (It was Brian's Step-Mom...who passed away a few years ago to cancer...everytime I make these I think of her).

They are delicious and incredible! They are now a Hutchins' Thanksgiving Staple!

Green Bean Bundles
(original recipe)

2 cans whole green beans
1 lb. lean bacon, cut in thirds
Toothpicks
1/2 c. butter
2/3 c. brown sugar
Garlic powder to taste
Salt and pepper to taste

Drain green beans. Roll 3-4 in each piece of bacon
and secure with
toothpick. Arrange in 9 x 13 x 2-inch pan. In
microwave melt butter
with brown sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Pour over beans.
Bake, coverered at 350 for about 1 hour. Uncover last
10 minutes.

Okay...so that's the recipe I was given. Here is how I change it a bit. I usually put more than 3-4 green beans in a bundle. 5 or 6 is how I like it. You can use canned grean beans OR fresh! I like to use center cut bacon as it's less fat! If I'm making a ton...I'll double or atleast do one and a half of the brown sugar mixture to pour over pan! I make up the bundles the night before and put them in my 9x13 pan and put in fridge. That way all I have to do Thanksgiving Day for this dish is make the brown sugar mixture and throw it all together.
*Oh...and I DO NOT USE TOOTHPICKS!
Seriously so delicious! These also taste incredible as left-overs! Can't go wrong here people!