Hidden Candy Recipes for Great Christmas Gifts

Everyone leaves a legacy. When I was grabbing and adding herbs from the garden, (Literally grabbing and adding, since there was no rhyme or reason that I chose them, except that something lemony always went with the pork), Mike said that my cooking reminded him of Aunt Willie's. Knowing that he is not prone to sarcasm, but always suspecting, I ask him what that meant. Aunt Willie was the family cook. Evidently, she developed a reputation, after that you're home free. You can put anything on the table and everyone thinks it's French or an acquired taste. You know what I mean. If you question the food's flavor someone mentions a more sophisticated palate or an acquired taste.

Today after taking an interest in the series that I was writing, he flopped a book in front of me and grinned. It said, "Christmas Memories and Other Family Favorites." It was bound with two rings and printed out on a computer. The bottom of each page said "Aunt Willie's Cookbook". I had now received the Holy Grail of cooking. While I was honored that he thought of me, the book was printed in 1994. We've been together since 1986. So, why was it hidden until now? I know everything about him. I do his taxes. I've sat in doctor appointments. We even talk while he's on the toilet. Are these recipes so special that they had to be hidden?

I sifted through the book and found a few interesting recipes, but remember, cooking, like everything in this life is about the spin. Great musicians aren't always stars, and great artists sometimes hang their work in other people's basement bars, just for food money.

So, Aunt Willie, cook supreme; this one is for you. I changed the recipe a little, because while she may have been the cook supreme in life, she wasn't exactly precise. How do you measure a "tad' of sugar. I've got to admit, some of these recipes are great. She really must have been a good cook. Here's some candy I'm giving at Christmas.

Golden Logs

These wonderful little gems contain all the basic ingredients necessary to sustain life, marshmallow cream, chocolate, and the ever-delightful pecan. You will need 1 pint of marshmallow cream, 12 oz. of chocolate chips (2-6oz packs), 2 sticks (1 cup) of butter, 4 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 large can of evaporated milk, and 4 cups of pecans.

Put the butter, marshmallow cream, and chocolate chips in a bowl. I put the butter on the bottom. It makes it easier when it is time to combine this with the other ingredients..

Mix the evaporated milk and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a rapid boil. Lower the temperature slightly and continue to boil for 10 minutes. Make certain that you continuously stir the mixture.

Here's where the old meets the new. I'm lazy so whipping it by hand for a long time is not in the program. Use a mixer when you do the next step. Slowly pour the milk mixture over the marshmallow cream mixture in the bowl. Beat this on low until it is smooth. Add the pecans and pour the mixture into 9X12 inch greased pan. Cut into bars when cool.

Great and Easy Candy to Give

You can mix and match with a very simple candy that can be made elegant with the use of inexpensive gold foil candy cups. These are like the cupcake liners only smaller.

Use 2-4 ounce bars of sweet chocolate, 2 cups of peanut-butter chips, and 1 cup of coarsely chopped peanuts. You will need a double boiler, but you can makeshift with two pans, one slightly larger. Fill the bottom pan with water and bring to a boil. Put the chocolate and peanut butter chips in the top pan, stirring until they are melted.

Turn off the heat. Lift off the top pan and pat the bottom dry. (It will drip into your candy if you don't) Fill the foil cups halfway and sprinkle the nuts on top. Refrigerate for 30 -40 minutes and you are ready to give it to a lucky recipient. It is tastes like a crunchy chocolate peanut butter cup.