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Recently – for some reason that I can’t even remember now – I was looking for information on Germany’s Black Forest. Many of the links that came up were for the famous Black Forest Cake – an extravagant confection of chocolate sponge cake, ‘kirschwasser’ and cherries. Definitely a 'celebration' cake, and it looks very nice for Christmas. Here, from Genius Kitchen, is a ‘from scratch’ recipe: http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/authentic-black-forest-cake-schwarzwald-kirsch-kuchen-343698and here is one using prepared cake mix (includes a little history on the cake) from What's Cooking America: https://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Cakes/BlackForestCake.htmI may have been looking up the Black Forest because I’ve become entranced by train...

Every year at Christmas my mother-in-law sends us a big box of cookies. I think she makes the best chocolate chip cookies I've had, but this year I tried the Raisin Jumbos, which were really excellent. She makes most of her cookies with butter, but uses Crisco for this one; and she doesn't add nuts, which I think would be 'gilding the lily': JUMBO RAISIN COOKIES Preheat oven to 375 degrees.   1 c. water 1 c. shortening 3 eggs, beaten 1 c. nuts (optional) 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. allspice 2 c. raisins 2 c....

Well it’s that time of year again: No, not for dog shaming:And let me point out that it is NEVER appropriate to shame anyone for anything, regardless of whether they are guilty or innocent of the Trumped-up charges®.  Anyway, it’s time for our annual Christmas Recipe Exchange. Which is a generic term for sharing Christmas/Hanukah/Festivus recipes/traditions/stories. I’ve already shared most of my favorite things in the “feeds a yooge crowd” category – Mom’s Goulash and White Bean Chili – butt here’s one more “souper” easy one that will keep your tree trimmers and tipplers at bay: Mom’s Souper Simple Sloppy...

This is a great site for Christmas recipes.