Blog: WHAT COOKING? Christmas candy from the pantry (12/20/21)

The St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry provides food for those in need of assistance in the area, including dairy products, various proteins, fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as canned and canned goods. These items are essentials during the holidays to make pacifiers for the family or homemade gifts for others.

How about sharing Christmas cracker with friends this year?

It’s a simple recipe that you can take out of your pantry and have in under an hour.

All you need is butter, brown sugar, salted crackers (even oyster crackers work with this recipe) and chocolate – that’s it!

Start by preheating the oven to 350F. Line a large baking sheet (10×15 or 11×17) with heavy aluminum foil. Spread your choice of crackers in the pan in a single layer. Fold edges of foil to wrap crackers and set aside.

Over medium heat on the stovetop, bring one cup each, butter and packed brown sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it boil for exactly 5 minutes, remember to set a timer for this part, Stir the mixture every now and then during this part to keep it from sticking.

When the timer rings, quickly pour the mixture over the crackers, making sure to spread it over all the crackers.

Bake for 5-7 minutes, until bubbly.

Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over crackers. After 1-2 minutes, spread the chocolate over the crackers.

At this point, you can top with any toppings you have on hand or like nuts, M&M, a pinch of sea salt, or candy decorations.

Let it sit for at least 2 hours before breaking it into pieces and placing it in a storage container.

Christmas Crack can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Here are some other special treats you can try:

Peanut Butter Pie

1 1/2 cup cold milk

1 pkg. Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix – 3.9 oz.

1 cup plus 2 cups chopped peanut butter, divided

1 can thawed frozen whipped topping, 8 oz

1 chocolate crumb crust, 8 or 9 inches

In a bowl, whisk the milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand 2 minutes or until tender. Stir in 1 cup of chopped peanut butter. Stir in the whipped topping. Pour into the crust. cover and freeze for 6 hours or overnight.

Take out of the freezer 15-20 minutes before serving. Garnish with the remaining cups of peanut butter.

Oreo truffles

1 packet of Oreos

1 (8oz) package Fresh Cheese

1 package of dipping or white chocolate

Place the Oreos in a food processor until they reach powder form. Add the Oreos to a bowl, add the cream cheese and mix. You can roll into balls or freeze for an hour, then roll into balls. Place in the freezer overnight or at least 4 hours until firm. Dip the balls in the melted chocolate. You can drizzle the coated balls with white chocolate. Keep refrigerated.

Gumball fondant

1 1/2 pounds white candy coating, coarsely chopped

1 can of condensed milk

1/8 teaspoon of salt

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups chopped gum balls

Line a 9-inch square pan with foil; put aside. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the candy coating, milk and salt. Cook and stir over low heat until the candy coating is melted. Remove from fire; fold in the vanilla and the gum balls Spread in the prepared mold. Cover and refrigerate until firm. Using foil, remove fudge from pan and cut into 1-inch squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Cheese cookie snacks

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

Mix cheese and butter until blended. Stir in the flour and salt; mix well. Stir in the cereals. The dough will be firm. Shape dough into one-inch balls; place on an ungreased baking sheet 2 inches apart. Flatten cookies to 1/4 inch thick with a fork, making a crisscross pattern. Bake at 350 for 15 to 18 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool. store in a tightly closed case. Makes about 2 dozen.

“What’s cooking?” is a question that many families face on a daily basis. Some families do not even broach the subject because the cupboards are bare.

The pantries provide items for families in need. However, there are times when the family isn’t sure what to do with the free groceries delivered.

The Pantry of Saint-Vincent-de-Paul of the Annunciation provides food for those in need of assistance in the area, including dairy products, various proteins, fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as canned and canned products.

If you don’t know what to cook with the groceries provided, what good is the help?

This is why the volunteers of the Garde-manger de Saint-Vincent-de-Paul wish to offer recipes to help people use the food they receive.