Free Carnation Holiday Recipe Guide (mail or pdf) and Other Freebies

Carnation Helps You Cater to a Holiday Houseful

The holiday season is filled with fun and food to be had---from potluck parties to festive brunches to game day gatherings. Let CARNATION help you find easy and delicious ways to keep your whole quirky clan full of that holiday spirit.

With recipes as flavorful and varied as each of the family members and friends you can expect to see this holiday season, CARNATION makes all your holiday meals and desserts richer and creamier.

Have it mailed to you or you can download it.

http://www.verybestbaking.com/products/carnation/virtual-kitchen/holiday-guide.aspx

Free Baking Stencils http://www.verybestbaking.com/promotions/free/stencils.aspx

Recipes for Gift Jars http://www.verybestbaking.com/promotions/free/jars.aspx

Gift Tags: http://www.verybestbaking.com/promotions/free/tags.aspx

Best Prices on Baking Goods (google doc)

I was thinking today, the holidays are just around the corner and I am a fanatic for baking during the holidays. I give out baked goods for Christmas presents and the dessert table at Thanksgiving and Christmas is over the top. In the next couple months, stores will be selling their baking items on sale.

Since couponing these last couple years, I have gotten familiar of the sales cycles and what is really a great price to purchase my baking items at. The best baking sales start about a week before Thanksgiving as well as baking coupons.

Below is a list I compiled of all the popular ingredients for baking and what the best prices are (in my area). I have gotten many items for free for baking or at least under $1.00.

My advice is try to hold out on stockpiling your baking items until you see at least a good price.



Here is a link to the google doc, I have made it to where anyone can edit it. Please only edit to add a coupon or add an item I missed.

Apple and Banana Recipes for a Baking Day and Recipe Swap

See other recipes at http://www.lifeasmom.com/2009/10/ultimate-recipe-swap-anything-goes.html#. This week, anything goes!

Today I did my own little baking day. I made Applesauce, Oatmeal Applesauce Bread and Banana Bread thanks to some ripe bananas and a sale on apples.

Banana Bread:

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup shortening (I substituted with applesauce)
1 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 ripe bananas

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, cream the shortening and sugar. Sift in the flour, baking soda and salt. Blend in the mashed bananas. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted into center of loaf comes out clean.

Oatmeal Applesauce Bread:

INGREDIENTS
2/3 cup warm water
2 1/4 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon dry milk powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup applesauce
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I used apple pie spice)
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

DIRECTIONS
Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select cycle; press Start.

Applesauce:

Ingredients
5 medium apples - peeled, cored and chopped
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I used apple pie spice)

In a saucepan, combine apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon. Cover, and cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until apples are soft. Allow to cool, then mash with a fork or potato masher or a hand mixer.

This makes about 1 1/2 - 2 Cups of Applesauce

Baking Day ~ Preparing, Cooking, Freezing and Pumpkin Soup Recipe!

Cooking and freezing fresh pumpkin

Below are general cooking and preparation instructions, and you don't have to use the mashed pumpkin right away. Pumpkin purée can be frozen in portions. Spoon cooled, mashed pumpkin into freezer containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.

To Steam: Halve the pumpkin; remove seeds, pulp, and stringy portion. Cut into small pieces and peel. Place in a steamer or metal colander which will fit in a covered pot. Put over boiling water, cover, and steam for about 50 minutes, or until tender. Mash, purée in a blender or food processor, or put through a food mill. Use in any recipe calling for pumpkin purée.

To Boil: Halve the pumpkin; remove seeds, pulp, and stringy portion. Cut into small pieces and peel. Cover with lightly salted water; boil for about 25 minutes, or until tender. Mash, purée in a blender or food processor, or put through a food mill. Use in any recipe calling for pumpkin purée.

A 5-pound pumpkin will yield about 4 1/2 cups of mashed, cooked pumpkin. One can of pumpkin, 15 to 16 ounces, yields about 2 cups of mashed pumpkin.

Fresh Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients
8 cups chopped fresh pumpkin (about 3 pounds)
4 cups chicken broth
3 small tart apples, peeled and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
TOASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS:
1/2 cup fresh pumpkin seeds
1 teaspoon canola oil
1/8 teaspoon salt
Directions
In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the first eight ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until pumpkin and apples are tender.
Meanwhile, toss pumpkin seeds with oil and salt. Spread onto an ungreased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 250° for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown. Set aside.
Cool soup slightly; process in batches in a blender. Transfer to a large saucepan; heat through. Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds. Yield: 9 servings (about 2 quarts).


Nutritional Analysis: One serving (1 cup) equals 102 calories, 2 g fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 567 mg sodium, 22 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 3 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fruit.

Baking Day! Brownies, Oatmeal Cookies, Tips AND a giveaway!

Today I participated in Baking Day with at Moneysavingmom.com


I did two recipes, Brownie Bites and Oatmeal Cookies. I will detail my recipes with pics and a review of my newest Wilton Toy! Oh and my very first giveaway!!


First came the Brownie Bites:

I used a Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix, yumm!! I followed the recipe except I substituted egg and oil with applesauce. This is a much healthier alternative along with a much moister outcome.

This is the first time using my Wilton Brownie Bites silicone baking sheet*. My first attempt was not that great, I forgot to spray the sheet so it made it hard to remove the bites and it made cleaning difficult. On the second attempt I did spray and had a much better outcome. The bites just popped right out. I didn't have spillage and they seemed to bake evenly and quickly. I would reccomend this item just remember to "Spray".

Next came the Oatmeal Cookies

These were made entirely from scratch from the recipe below:

Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
1 1/4 cups oatmeal
1 egg
3 tablespoons whole milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375° F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar and butter until well blended. Add the oatmeal, egg, and milk, stirring well. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Gradually add to the oatmeal mixture, stirring well. Stir in the walnuts, raisins, and vanilla. Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls, spaced about 1 inch apart, onto the baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Now it says gradually add the flour mix because this will turn into a very thick mix and it gets hard to stir.
I Substituted the cinnamon and cloves for a pumpkin pie spice which added a greater holiday taste.

I also used my Airbake sheets*. I have about 6 of these and love them because they prevent burnt cookies!

Tips for Baking:

1. Have a clean kitchen sink. Fill one side of the sink with hot water about half full, this will allow you to place the items in there once soiled without having to rinse individually. This makes it easier to wash after you are done.
2. Have a clean and organized work area. Make sure you have enough space to ensure a positive flow.
3. Lay out your equipment before hand. Take out your bowls, spoons, measuring utensils, mixer, etc so they are handy when you need them.
4. Lay out a towel or rag. I use a dish rag and place it beneath the mixing bowls. This allows for a super quick cleanup by shaking it out after I am done and throwing it in my towel laundry pile.
5. Make sure you have all ingredients before starting. Of course there is nothing worse then getting 3/4 done with your recipe and realizing you don't have something. Need a substitute? Check here: http://www.e-cookbooks.net/ingresub.htm
6. Double check the recipe before putting it in the oven. By checking your recipe over, this allows you to fix anything you forgot to add before it is too late.
7. Set your timer! We all get distracted, setting a timer keeps us alert and avoids the catastrophe of having damaged baked goods.
8. Put on some music and have fun :)

For Dinner I made Sirloin Steaks into a roast in a crockpot. Typically when I cook dinner, I "wing" it, meaning I take one item and just add too it as I go.


I took 4 sirloin steaks and placed them in the crockpot and added these ingredients:
Meat Tenderizer
Season All
Cherry Coke (for moisture)
Burgandy Cooking Wine
Garlic Powder
Minced Garlic ( I brushed the steaks with this )
Worcheshire Sauce

I will serve with Sauteed Asparagus. This is simple, just take 2 tablespoons of butter or margerine, lemon juice and lemon pepper and "brown" in a skillet, being sure to continously move the asparagus around.

Now for the giveaway:

I actually have two to give away. It is a Recipe CD Rom titled Almost Famous Recipes for All Ages. Perfect for aspiring cooks and bakers or give them as a gift this holiday season. All I ask is you follow me on twitter and/or follow me on this blog. You will receive a seperate entry for both, just leave a comment here and let me know you did. Winner will be announced by next Tuesday.

*These items were purchased on my own. I am not receiving any endorsement on these products, these are strictly my own reviews to share.