11/21/13

Aunt Erma's Feather Rolls

Are there certain items or recipes that are a must-have at your Thanksgiving table every year? Here's one of ours. Each Thanksgiving, my mom makes at least two batches of these wonderful things. They are called feather rolls because they are light as a feather. And oh man! Are they wonderful, buttery, and delicious.

They are so amazing, in fact, that my mom won a baking contest with them. Growing up, I would see her baking these things and always be intimidated. Yes, they take a little time, but they are so worth it. They're not the kind of thing I would make every week, but for a holiday they are perfect.

This is one of our family recipes that is not only top secret, but treasured in our family. We love these things so much!

Aunt Erma's Feather Rolls
makes about 24 rolls
print this recipe

2 Tbs yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbs sugar, divided
1 c. scalded milk
2/3 cup butter, divided
2 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
4 cups flour


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Mix together yeast, 1 Tbs sugar, and water into a bowl and let stand about 20 minutes. The yeast will grow to be pretty puffy.

Scald the milk. I popped it into the microwave for about two minutes. To cool it off, add 1/3 cup chilled butter and let mixture come to room temperature. Make sure the butter is completely melted.

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Pour mixture into a mixer with a paddle attachment. Add 1/4 cup sugar, salt, and eggs and mix slightly. Add flour and mix until combined. Mixture will be pretty sticky.

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Scrape mixture into a well-greased large bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and pop it in the fridge for about eight hours.

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Remove dough from fridge and place on floured surface. Roll into a large square, about 18" big. Brush with remaining 1/3 cup butter that has been softened. Roll up the dough like you would a cinnamon roll, and cut slices about 1" thick.

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Place slices in greased muffin tins and allow to raise up to 1 hour, or until they are puffy. I like to place mine in my oven (with the heat off, of course).

Once done raising, preheat oven to 425º, remove plastic wrap and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

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Mmmmm....warm, fluffy, rolls. Pass the butter, please!

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-Candice


11/5/13

Crock-pot White Chicken Chili

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How was your Halloween? My kids came down with colds a couple of days before Halloween but luckily, they were well enough to go trick-or-treating. It's so fun to have older kids that get just as excited as you do for holidays.

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! I love when it's time to break out the decorations, go pick out pumpkins, and go to the Halloween carnivals. When it comes to Halloween night I love to have soup or some type of chili to eat. Especially if its freezing cold outside. I have been making this chili for a few years now. I got it off the Rachel Ray show. It's really easy to make and the result is amazing! You can cook it on the stove top or throw everything in the crock pot. Recipe from Rachael Ray.

Crock-pot White Chicken Chili
makes 6 servings

1 32-ounce box chicken stock
3 cans white beans, left undrained
5 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie or boiled)
1 16-ounce jar salsa
1 8-ounce block pepper jack cheese, grated
2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cloves garlic, minced
black or white pepper to taste
1/2 cup finely crushed corn chips (optional, if you like your chili thicker)
sour cream, for garnish

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Place all ingredients except the corn chips and sour cream in a Crock-pot. Cook on high until the cheese is melted.

Chili may also be cooked on the stovetop over medium-high heat until cheese is melted.

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When the chili is ready, add the crushed corn chips, if using, and simmer for 10 minutes to thicken. Garnish with more chips, cheese and/or sour cream and serve.

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-Suzanne