This is such a fun and festive presentation antipasto. I guarantee everyone will be talking about this wreath at your holiday gathering!
Ingredients:
1 bunch fresh rosemary 2 cups small grape tomatoes 1 ½ cups mini mozzarella balls 1 ½ cup mixed olives Olive oil
Directions:
Start by cutting the rosemary into smaller pieces and place them on a serving tray formed into a wreath shape. Top with grape tomatoes, mozzarella and olives. Drizzle with a little olive oil and serve with some crusty country style bread.
There was a man who worked for the Post Office whose job was to process all the mail that had illegible addresses. One day, a letter came addressed in a shaky handwriting to God with no actual address. He thought he should open it to see what it was about.
The letter read:
Dear God,
I am an 83 year old widow, living on a very small pension. Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had $100 in it, which was all the money I had until my next pension payment. The coming Sunday I had invited two of my friends over for dinner. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with, have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope. Can you please help me?
Sincerely, Agnes
The postal worker was touched. He showed the letter to all the other workers. Each one dug into his or her wallet and came up with a few dollars. By the time he made the rounds, he had collected $96, which they put into an envelope and sent to the woman.
The rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of Agnes and the dinner she would be able to share with her friends.
Sunday came and went..
A few days later, another letter came from the same old lady to God. All the workers gathered around while the letter was opened.
It read:
Dear God,
How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your gift of love, I was able to fix a glorious dinner for my friends. We had a very nice day and I told my friends of your wonderful gift.
By the way, there was $4 missing. I think it might have been those thieves at the post office!!
These Christmas recipes take extra time to make,but are very spectacular!
Spicy Fried Nuts
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. peanut oil 1 cup unsalted cashew nuts 1 cup unsalted almonds 1 cup unsalted macademia nuts 1 rosemary twig, just the leafs
1 tbsp. flaky sea salt 1 tbsp. sugar ½ tsp. ground cumin ½ tsp. dried thyme A pinch of red chili flakes
Directions:
Heat the oil in a pan or wok. Add the nuts and fry them until they start to get golden. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until everything is well coated and your house smells amazing. Cool and serve.
Norwegian Forest Cocktail
This cocktail is inspired by the Norwegian forest and the wonderful berries you can find there. Fresh rosemary gives it a complex woody-herbal flavor.
Ice Juice of half a lime ½ cup simple syrup ½ cup vodka Ginger ale
Directions:
Divide the berries, rosemary and limes in two glasses. Muddle well and fill glasses with ice. Add simple syrup and vodka and stir well. Top with ginger ale.
(If you have not ginger ale use ice-cold fizzy lemonade)
Moravian Spice Cookie Icebox Cake
Inspired by a no-bake terrine dessert that my grandmother used to make from thin and spicy pepparkakor cookies and cream.
Ingredients:
4 cups heavy cream 1 container mascarpone cheese ½ cup sugar About 100 Moravian Spice Cookies
Directions:
Start by whipping the cream to soft peaks, add mascarpone and sugar and beat until you have a smooth cream. Place 7 cookies on a platter or cake stand. Spread with a layer of cream. Continue layering cookies and cream until you run out of cookies. Finish with cream. Let the cake set for at least 3 hours or overnight in the fridge.
![[Mrs. Claus' Kitchen]](http://www.northpoletimes.com/images/hdr_MrsClausKitchen.gif)
