Pharm Cooking: Life is hectic, as usual
By LOU GREENHAW
Contributing writer
This month is just a whirlwind of preparation and partying. We had Christmas last week in Liberty, Mo., with our older son and his fiancee. We squeezed in a trip to the Kansas City Plaza to see the lights.
We had our annual open house, and we had a Sunday School class at our house on Sunday. That is pretty good considering the decorations didn't get put up until Saturday!
We got the goodies made earlier in the week. My husband helped out. I found a way to get guys to be interested in the kitchen baking — I give him a power tool!
I have an electric cookie press. He was so excited about shooting those cookies out that I just kept the bowls coming for him. Then I subtlely switched him to other cookies, and he kept right on helping.
He baked all the peppernuts on his own. The secret is a peppernut gun that looks like a grease or caulking gun. He was right at home with that!
The goodies were well devoured at the open house and Sunday School party. I teach a class of young couples and singles at Parkview. They are a very creative group. The annual white elephant gift exchange is one not to be missed.
The group supposedly went together and bought me a present. To set the stage, you need to know that I frequently say that when I die I'm going to be cremated and put in a mayonnaise jar. My gift was a black marble container for my ashes. Then the conversation drifted to whether I would fit in the container. They are such nice folks!
Actually, Jared Jost, the young mortician in town, is in the class and was behind the gift. I did happen to notice that the one they gave me was damaged. However, I plan to position it so it looks perfect and tell lots of made up stories when people visit my home! It's a good thing I know how great these young adults are, or I would truly wonder about them!
We made 20 recipes of candy, 21 of cookies and four nibblers. Some are already gone, but we will have plenty to last through the holidays. A new recipe I added this year was for peanutty clusters. Steve pronounced them a success, so they will go into the computer for next year. Every year I have to make more things because I keep adding recipes, but everyone wants the old favorites, too.
I have to discipline myself not to eat a lot of them. If I gain too much weight, I might not fit into my burial container! Merry Christmas!
PEANUTTY CLUSTERS
2 cups sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
1/4 cup butter or margarine
18 large marshmallows
1/2 cup chocolate chips
8 ounce jar dry roasted peanuts
Combine sugar, milk, butter and marshmallows in heavy 3 quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until the candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips. Beat with a mixer until chocolate melts and it is very smooth. Stir in peanuts. Drop by round teaspoons onto lightly greased wax paper. Cool and store in airtight container.
