Running Mama Cooks

These were a new addition to Christmas morning this year and they were really great! It makes a dense, cake-like waffle with great gingerbread flavor.

We also had Papa's breakfast casserole, fruit, monkey bread, coffee and mimosas.

Gingerbread Waffles
Recipe from Rachael Ray

Instructions:

3 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, eyeball it
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter, plus some to butter the iron
Syrup, whipped cream or fresh fruits for topping, to pass at table

Directions:

Preheat waffle iron.

In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. In a medium bowl, beat eggs and brown sugar until fluffy, then beat in pumpkin, milk, molasses and melted butter. Stir the wet into dry until just moist. Do not overstir the waffle batter. Brush the iron with a little melted butter and cook 4 waffles, 4 sections each. Serve with toppings of choice.

Breakfast is served!

place settings

Santa came!!

This recipe is my go to "fancy" appetizer. It is always a hit. Funny thing is that I am allergic to shellfish, so I have never actually tried it.

My Aunt Dawn, who passed away almost 6 years ago, used to make this. She gave me the recipe at my Bridal Shower, and there is something so special about taking out her hand written recipe page from my book and following her instructions. It always makes me feel good.

Dilled Shrimp

Ingredients

3/4 cup mayo
3/4 cup sour cream
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 large red onion, finely chopped
2 tbs dill
1/4 tsp salt
2 lbs frozen cooked shrimp, defrosted

Combine all ingredients (I use a zip lock bag) and let set over night.

And here are some pictures from Christmas Day.

Cecily all dressed up

Me :)

Monkey bread is one of our Christmas morning traditions. This year I made it first thing so we could snack on it while opening presents. It is easy to make and so good!

Monkey Bread

3 pkgs Pillsbury biscuits
3/4 cup sugar
3 tsp cinnamon
1 stick butter
1 cup brown sugar

Cut each biscuit into quarters. Mix sugar and cinnamon, shake in a zip lock bag. Add cut biscuits and shake until coated. Pile into well greased bundt pan. Combine butter and brown sugar in a pan and bring to a boil. Pour over biscuits.

Bake 35 minutes at 350

My Christmas morning table all set

It's Christmas morning!! Santa came and after opening all our gifts we sit down for a big Christmas breakfast with Mom, Dad, Cecily, Mimi, Ganky, Grammie, Papa and Jilly.


I made Paula Deen's French Toast Casserole (It's Paula Deen, how could it be bad?!). I made it last night and had to just add the praline topping and bake. Papa made his Breakfast Casserole that was delicious as always. We also had some fruit and bread. Amazingly enough, we still had an appetite after munching on Monkey Bread earlier in the morning!



Paula Deen's Baked French Toast Casserole




It was really good, but be warned, its very rich!! Here is Papa's breakfast casserole. Delicious and on the lighter side, made with egg beaters and turkey sausage.

Tonight we attended a fun dinner party with the Luciano and Maizel families. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite holiday traditions. We had a wonderful time and I cannot thank Allison and Nick enough for hosting. Dinner was delicious and we had a blast!

I decided to make my mother's go-to party appetizer, a Garlic Pecan Cheddar Cheese Ring. It is very tasty and everyone raves about it.

Ingredients

6 cups shredded sharp cheddar
1 cup Mayo
6-8 fresh minced garlic
Large onion, finely chopped
3/4 cup chopped pecans
few dashes of Tabasco

Mix all ingredients except for the nuts and mayo. Then add the mayo. If it isn't wet enough, add a little at a time until it is the right consistency. Mix in nuts. Mold into a ring with food gloves and refrigerate overnight. Serve with raspberry seeded preserves in the middle.


It was very easy to make, although I will admit Zach needed to help me with the mayo since I have "issues" with this particular condiment! :)

Here are a few more pictures from our fun evening!