HAM IT UP

First off I have to share a scary dream I had last night. I dreamed that I was a Mormon and that I was wearing magic underwear but then I woke up wearing my new white teddy that I got from Victoria's Secret. Boy that was a close one.

These days everyone is buying those spiral sliced hams and it can be a PITA (you know what that means) trying to put those cloves on the ham the way mom used to do. Ground clove is now the way to go. And everyone uses cherries and raisins so why not try Auntie Stella's recipe for a change. You are going to need a tablespoon or so of ground clove (which is also great to get rid of a toothache); a small jar (6-8 oz) of sweet (California style) orange marmalade; a cup of brown sugar; 1/4 cup of orange juice and cinnamon and nutmeg (optional) to taste. Mix all of the ingredients together and since the ham is already sliced, work it in to the slices then toothpick it back together and bake. But you have to promise to tell someone where you got the recipe so they can come and visit me too.

I truly hope that everyone everywhere has the best of the holidays that they celebrate and that we can all come together in 2009 to promote peace and understanding throughout the world and try to save this planet we all call home. It's the only one that has chocolate I am reminded.
Love.
Stella

THAT RAW VEGETABLE TRAY UPDATED

Hello Readers; Holiday updates again. The traditional raw vegetable tray that everyone likes so well can get a great new taste with a fresh dip idea. Before you start cutting up those veggies, make this easy and delicious dip and stick it in the fridge to start cooling. The taste gets better the longer you let it sit. You will need 1 package of Knorr Leek soup mix, one large package of cream cheese and one pint of sour cream. Let the cream cheese sit out till soft and then blend all three ingredients together. It will taste bland at first but once chilled it is just fab.

Cut your peppers, celery, carrot sticks, broccoli and/or cauliflower, what ever you would like to serve (wash them of course but don't use Dawn, I tried that once and it was awful tasting) and set up your tray. It is best to do this a day before so that you are ready at a moment's notice. Friends will want to know your secret for the dip but let's keep it between us. It beats the hell our of the old French Onion stuff and is much fresher that buying something from the store.

Should you have left overs, throw the vegetables in a pot and cover with an inch of water and boil to make vegetable stock for your next pot of soup. Also, and this is doubtful, if there is any dip left, add a little bit of milk to it and have yourself a great salad dressing. (Stella hates to waste anything except ex-husbands).

Wishing everyone the best of the holiday season and a great 2009, I am,
Auntie Stella, dragging in the kitchen