ESL Blogs

Happy Holidays! If you haven't seen me around MyEC for a few days, it's because I've been busy baking, cooking, eating, and celebrating the holidays with my family and friends. One of the best things about holiday time is enjoying delicious food that we only make once a year. This month, let's teach each other how to make a dish, dessert, or snack that we enjoy on special occasions. If enough members join this challenge, I'll make a recipe eBook or slideshow out of our collection! 

Your Task: 

1. Brainstorm a list of food and treats (or a beverage) that you like to cook, bake, or prepare for special occasions. 

2. Choose one recipe that you want to share with MyEC Members. 

3. Introduce your recipe by giving a little background about it. What's the name of the dish or treat? Who/where did you get the recipe from? When do you make this recipe? If you have a photograph, share it in your post.

4. Write out the recipe for us. Include the name, the ingredients list, the directions, and the amount of time it takes to make. For the directions, be sure to use the imperative verb form: Beat the eggs. Mix the batter. Add the sugar. 

5. After you publish your recipe, share a link to it in the comments below. Read other recipes and choose one to try! Share a photograph of your dish. 

My Example: 

Gramma Blankie's Christmas Snack

My children always called my husband's mom Gramma Blankie because she made their baby blankets. Every Christmas, Gramma Blankie always made a giant batch of her special Christmas snack, which she called "Nuts & Bolts". Gramma died a few years ago, but I have kept up the tradition in her honour, and we call this snack Gramma Blankie's Christmas Snack. Making (and eating) the Christmas snack reminds me of my mother-in-law, and helps keep her spirit alive. This Christmas snack is easy to make and handy to have around the house when guests pop by over the holidays. 

Ingredients

• 1 box (or 4 cups) of Cheerios cereal 
• 1 box (or 4 cups) of Shreddies cereal 
• 1 box of cheese crackers (squares or sticks)
• 1 bag of pretzel sticks
• 1 tin or jar of mixed nuts (cashews, peanuts, etc.)
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (add more if you like it spicy)
• 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 1/2 tsp celery salt
• 1 tsp seasoning salt
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 pound of butter 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 250°.
2. Fill a large roasting pan with all of the ingredients (except the butter).
3. Mix the ingredients with a large spoon.
4. Slice the butter evenly over the snack mix.
5. Place the roaster pan uncovered in the oven and bake for 1.5 hours. 
6. Stir every 15-20 minutes to make sure the butter melts over the entire mix. 
7. Set a bowl of Gramma Blankie's Christmas snack on a table, and watch it disappear. 

Note: You can substitute any of your favourite cereals or crackers. You may not have room for all of the ingredients. I use the large roasting pan that I cook my turkey in. I always make a special gluten-free batch for my brother to enjoy separately. I substitute the Shreddies, Cheerios, crackers, and pretzels for gluten-free Chex cereal and gluten-free pretzels. I also give away tins (this year decorative boxes) of this snack to my neighbours with a homemade Christmas card (see photo).