Apple Spice Potpourri

3 tbsp dried apple slices (see note)
1/2 cup pink and red carnation petals
1/4 cup dried sweet woodruff leaves
2 tbsp crumbled cinnamon or one 3" cinnamon stick
1 whole nutmeg, grated (1 1/2 tsps)
1 tbsp whole cloves
1 tbsp julienne orange peel
3 drops of cinnamon or vanilla scented oil

Note: To dry apples, slice paper thin and place slices in a single layer on a baking sheet in 150 degree oven for 30 minutes.
Mix dried apple slices with remaining ingredients. Store in a tightly covered glass jar.

For simmering potpourri, use a teaspoon potpourri per one cup of water. Place potpourri in water, bring to a boil and simmer on low until the whole house is perfumed; turn off heat. Strain and let dry if you wish to save and reuse the potpourri.

Giant Cinnamon-Cheese Danish Recipe

I'm all about simplicity and making things easy, so I like to visit the Pillsbury.com site to see what recipes they are stirring up. Just last week I was in a bind and needed to make something quick and easy for a meeting, so I found their recipe for a "Giant Cinnamon Cheese Danish" made from Grands Cinnamon Rolls. We always have these cinnamon rolls on hand because that is what my son likes to eat for breakfast, so this worked out great! And I think I'm going to serve it again on Christmas morning. Here's the recipe:

1 (17.5-oz.) can Pillsbury Grands Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls with Icing
1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons sour cream
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 9-inch glass pie pan with shortening or spray with cooking spray. Separate dough into 5 rolls; set icing aside. Unroll 1 roll into long strip of dough; reroll loosely and place in center of greased pie pan. Unroll second roll; loosely wrap around first roll, cinnamon side in. Replace any cinnamon that falls off. Repeat with remaining rolls, coiling dough in pan into spiral shape.

2. In small bowl, beat all remaining ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spoon cream cheese mixture into decorating bag with tip or gallon-size resealable food-storage plastic bag with 1/2-inch hole cut in bottom corner. With tip or corner of bag about halfway down into rolls, pipe mixture between strips of dough, starting at center and working to edge of pan, using all of mixture.

3. Bake at 350°F. for 25 to 35 minutes or until center is thoroughly baked and edges are deep golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Meanwhile, remove cover from icing; microwave on Medium (50%) for 10 to 15 seconds or until drizzling consistency.

4. Drizzle icing over warm coffee cake. Cut into wedges. Serve warm.

Be sure to check out the Pillsbury.com site for this recipe and lots of others!

Ham It Up for the Holidays!

A baked ham is just a ham until it's anointed with a yummy glaze. There are many different types to choose from so I have pulled together some of my favorites.

First, heat a pre-cooked ham 15-18 minutes for every pound at 325 degrees; or until it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees. (Note: if this is an uncooked, fresh ham it will take approximately 25 minutes per pound to reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees.)

Thirty minutes before the ham is done, remove it from the oven. Carefully pour out the drippings and remove any skin. Lightly score the fat side of the ham with uniform diamond shapes. (Optional: insert a whole clove in the center of each diamond.) Finally, brush, pat, or pour on the glaze of your choice and continue cooking for the remaining 30 minutes.

Click here to find easy-to-prepare ham glazes.