Christmas traditions from the NFH team

Christmas crackers?My family is big into Christmas crackers; not the kind you eat, mind you. These crackers are an English tradition and are decorative on the outside. When you pull them open, they make a popping noise; and then a paper hat, a toy and a joke fall out. My mom always put them on our plates for Christmas breakfast or dinner, and we would read the jokes to each other, put our paper hats on and proceed†to eat. My siblings and I have continued this tradition with our families, although now we take pictures with our hats on and try to outdo each other by being creative or silly.†– Leslie SheleyFalcon cookbook sweet potatoesWhen rooftops were few and far between in town, raising funds for the Falcon Volunteer Fire Department took a concerted effort. In 1984, the department sold a cookbook, comprised of recipes contributed by local residents. Ever since then, a ìSweet Potatoesî recipe, submitted by Ruth Davis, has been a holiday favorite in my household.– Kathy HareSweet Potatoes3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (I use a mixer)4 tbs melted butter or margarine2 eggs3/4 cup sugar1 tsp vanilla1 cup flaked coconut Topping1/2 cup flour1 cup nuts (walnuts or pecans)1 cup brown sugar6 tbs butter or margarine Blend together the mashed sweet potatoes, butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla and coconut. Place in a casserole or baking dish. Using a fork or pastry cutter, mix topping ingredients until crumbly and place on sweet potatoes. Bake about 30 minutes at 300 degrees, until topping is golden brown and sweet potatoes are warmed throughout.Christmas PJsEvery Christmas Eve, members of my family are given one gift to†open, and that gift is always matching pajamas. In order to open presents the next day, everybody must be wearing their matching pajamas. To make sure the pajamas fit all of the adults, we usually get all men’s sizes. But, one year, we accidentally picked up women’s pajamas. Watching my manly man father and brothers wearing form-fitting V-neck Christmas pajamas for a whole day is the funniest memory!– Stephanie MasonBroccoli-Rice Casserole2 tbs finely chopped onion1 tbs bacon grease1/2 c water1 pound fresh broccoli florets†1/2 c Cheez Whiz1/2 c milk1 can cream of mushroom soup1 c instant rice (or 2 cups cooked rice)Brown onion in bacon grease.†Add broccoli and water.†Cook until tender.†Add remaining ingredients.Bake in casserole dish 30 minutes at 350 degrees.– Michelle BarretteFrench Almond Tea Cookies(family recipe dates to 1850s England)1 pound butter2 pounds brown sugar5 eggs2 tsp cinnamon2 tsp baking soda2 tbsp water1 c chopped/slivered almonds3 pounds (10 cups) all-purpose flourDirections:

• Start with 4 cups of flour in a very large mixing bowl
• Combine the rest of the ingredients and add the remaining 6 cups of the flour one cup at a time while mixing.† [This recipe makes a very stiff dough to be kneaded by hand.†A mixer will burn out its motor]
• Make three 3-inch-thick rolls of dough†
• Wrap each roll in wax or parchment paper
• Refrigerate overnight
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
• Cut cookies 1/4 inches wide slices from the roll†
• Place on a cookie sheet
• Cook for 8 minutes

Recipe yields 250 cookies– Ava and Mark StollerCranberry salsa for the holidays!†Ingredients:12 oz. cranberries (rinse and drain)1/4 cup sugar (or substitute natural sugars like Demerara)2 jalapeÒos ó remove seeds and mince jalapenos1/4 cup cilantro ó finely chopped1/2 cup red onion1 tbs orange juice1/2 fresh lime juice†1/2 cucumber ó chopped3/4 cup dried cranberries1/2 tbs maple syrup (real maple syrup)1 tbs red pepper†flakesInstructions:Add the 12 oz. cranberries to your food processor and pulse. You want small pieces of the cranberries.†Place the chopped cranberries in a bowl and add the sugar and stir.Add dried cranberries, jalapeÒos, cilantro, red onions, red pepper flakes, cucumber, orange juice, lime juice and maple syrup ó stir to combineCover and store in the refrigerator for one hour to allow the flavors to meld. †Serve with tortilla chips or crackers- Marylou BrideCornbread souffleIngredients:1†stick melted butter1 cup†sour cream15 oz.†can of whole kernel corn, drained15 oz.†can of cream style corn2†eggs beaten8 oz.†box corn bread mix (I used Jiffy)Preheat oven to 350degrees†Combine ingredientsButter or spray a square pan†Pour mixture into pan and bake 50 to 60min or until toothpick comes out clean.– Cara Lord-Geiser