Category Archives: Food

A Holiday Tradition- The Cookie Exchange

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Celebrating National Cookie Exchange Day: Sweet Treats & Sweeter Traditions

There’s something extra special about December 22nd—National Cookie Exchange Day. It’s the unofficial kickoff to that delightful moment when kitchens everywhere turn into flour‑dusted wonderlands, ovens hum like old friends, and neighbors appear at your door with tins full of sugary surprises. Around Dusty Roads, we’re all about celebrating the small joys that make a season feel special, and a cookie exchange is one of those traditions that warms the heart as much as the home.

Why Cookie Exchanges Are Pure Holiday Joy

Cookie exchanges aren’t just about the treats—though let’s be honest, that’s a pretty big perk. They’re about community, creativity, and the simple pleasure of sharing something homemade. Whether you’re a seasoned baker with a signature cookie or someone who relies on the “add water and stir” method (no judgment here), there’s room for everyone at the cookie table.

Plus, you walk away with a variety of cookies without having to bake a dozen different recipes. Efficiency and sugar? A winning combination.

Mom’s Recipe Corner: A Cookie Worth Exchanging

Of course, no cookie exchange is complete without a recipe that earns a few “Who made these?” whispers. So we’re dipping into Mom’s Recipe Corner for a tried‑and‑true classic: Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies—a soft, spiced, crowd‑pleasing cookie that looks festive without requiring a culinary degree.

This cookie is a version of the classic Chocolate and Vanilla Icebox cookie. It was a staple of my youth. I admit it took more than a few tries to get the peppermint right. If the candy isn’t crushed enough your cookies are going to spread in the oven. But they still will taste good.

I found this recipe fun to play with. Sometimes I’d use white chocolate and 3 layers of dough so you got more swirls.

Let your imagination rule the day! Then , of course, share the bounty.

Share the Sweetness

Whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange, joining one, or simply gifting a plate to a neighbor, today is all about spreading joy one bite at a time. So preheat that oven, put on your coziest playlist, and let the holiday spirit rise—just like your cookies.

 

If you want more recipes for your exchange, Mom’s Recipe Corner is always cooking up something delicious.

Lemon Chicken & Rice

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🍋 When Life Gives You Shriveling Lemons…

Last grocery trip, I grabbed a bag of lemons for haddock night. It was cheaper by the bag than buying just one or two. Fast forward a few days, and those leftover lemons were looking a little sad—shriveling skin, tough rind, not exactly zest-worthy. But waste not, want not!

No fresh fish in the house, but I did have chicken breasts in the freezer. And so, lemon chicken and rice was born.

🥣 Setting Up the Breading Station

I’ll admit it—I hate the mess of breading stations. But sometimes you just have to go with the flow. Here’s how I set mine up:

  • Bowl 1: Flour for the base
  • Bowl 2: Beaten eggs for the glue
  • Bowl 3: Bread crumbs mixed with grated Parmesan for the crust

🔪 Prepping the Chicken

Out came my trusty fillet knife. I sliced the chicken breasts into cutlets, then pounded them to about ¼-inch thickness (great stress relief, by the way).

 

🍳 Into the Skillet

I heated 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Each cutlet went through the flour, egg, and breadcrumb routine before hitting the pan.

Cook until golden and crisp, turning once—about 6–8 minutes total. For safety, check with an instant-read thermometer: you’re looking for 165°F.

🧈 The Butter-Lemon Sauce

This is the magic that ties it all together.

  1. Wipe the skillet clean.
  2. Melt butter, stirring constantly.
  3. Add garlic and onion powder, cook for about 1 minute.
  4. Reduce heat to low, then slowly add lemon juice and chicken broth.
  5. Season with salt and pepper, simmer for 3 minutes until slightly reduced.

🍽️ Plating Perfection

On a bed of rice, I arranged lemon slices around the edges, topped with the cutlets, and drizzled that luscious butter-lemon sauce over everything.

Result? Pure comfort food. And honestly, the leftovers taste even better the next day.

👩‍🍳 Final Notes

The full recipe will be posted in Mom’s Recipe Corner at Welcoming Haven once I nail down the exact measurements (I eyeballed everything this time). And seriously—does anyone know how much a “pinch” really is?

Full recipe here

The Kitchen Experiment Gone Wrong

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Cookie Season Shenanigans

‘Tis the season for flour on the counter, chocolate smudges on my apron, and ambitious cookie dreams. This year’s challenge? A Stuffed Turtle Cookie. I’ve seen a few recipes floating around, but none quite capture the magic of my beloved Turtle candy—pecans, caramel, and chocolate in perfect harmony. Of course, finding Kraft caramels has been like spotting a unicorn, so Werther’s soft caramels stepped in as the understudy.

The Great Caramel Stuffing Adventure

Picture this: chocolate dough rolled into balls, flattened, and layered with a caramel center. Sounds promising, right? I sealed the edges, popped them in the oven, and out came… well, let’s call them “practice cookies.” Add pecans and they’d be Turtle-inspired, but the texture wasn’t quite the showstopper I imagined.

Ice Cream Sandwich Chaos

Never one to waste a batch, I turned the leftovers into ice cream sandwiches with Caramel Cup ice cream. Messy? Absolutely. Tasty? Sort of. The plot twist? The caramel centers froze solid, transforming each bite into a jaw workout. Who knew dessert could double as strength training?

 

Back to the Test Kitchen

Not every experiment earns a spot on the holiday cookie tray, but that’s half the fun. Each attempt brings me closer to the perfect Turtle Cookie. Until then, I’ll keep testing, keep laughing, and keep wishing for a volunteer squad to help me eat my “oops” batches.

Taste-Testers Wanted

So here’s my challenge: who’s brave enough to join me in the next round of cookie experiments? I promise plenty of laughs, a few sticky fingers, and maybe—just maybe—the birth of the ultimate Turtle Cookie.

 

Holiday Feasts of Yesteryear

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🎄 When Peacock Was the Turkey

Ah, the holidays. Today we gather around golden turkeys, honey-glazed hams, and pumpkin pies. But if you think your great-aunt’s fruitcake is the strangest thing to hit the holiday table, history begs to differ. Let’s take a stroll down the dusty roads of festive feasts past—where the menu was equal parts impressive, bizarre, and slightly terrifying.

🦚 Turkey’s Flashy Cousin: The Roasted Peacock

Forget the humble turkey. Medieval nobles wanted something with flair—literally. Enter the roasted peacock, served with its dazzling feathers reattached after cooking. Imagine carving into your holiday bird while it stares back at you in full technicolor glory. Talk about dinner with a side of intimidation.

🐑 Scandinavian Smalahove: Sheep’s Head Supper

Meanwhile, in Norway, Christmas meant Smalahove—a sheep’s head, boiled or smoked, served with potatoes. Yes, the whole head. Cheeks were considered the delicacy, while the eyes were… well, let’s just say they were reserved for the bravest at the table. Forget “who gets the drumstick”—this was more like “who dares take the eyeball.”

🍲 Plum Broth: Sweet Meets Savory

If you thought mixing cranberry sauce with gravy was bold, meet plum broth, a 17th–18th century concoction. The recipe called for a leg of beef and a slice of mutton boiled together with prunes and spices. The result? A dish that was part soup, part dessert, and entirely confusing. Imagine sipping beefy prune juice by the fire while carolers sing outside.

🎁 What We Can Learn

Holiday feasts of the past remind us that tradition is always evolving. What seems normal today—turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes—might look downright tame compared to roasted peacock or sheep’s head. And who knows? Maybe in 200 years, people will laugh at our obsession with pumpkin spice.

So this season, when you’re staring down a plate of fruitcake, remember: it could be worse. It could be prune-flavored beef broth.

 

Kitchen Tools Part 2

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Kitchen Tools Part 2

Back in November—just before that big cooking holiday—I shared a few favorite kitchen tools as gift ideas. Since then, I’ve had time to reflect, experiment, and expand my list of must‑haves. Consider this Part 2 of my kitchen essentials journey.

My Must‑Have Kitchen List

  1.  Digital Kitchen Scale

    Precision matters. A scale takes the guesswork out of measuring, and in baking, accuracy can be the difference between “good” and “wow.” You can order from Welcoming Haven Here

  2.  Rolling Pin

    I’ve tried patting dough down by hand, even rolling it with a can. Trust me—nothing compares to a well‑balanced rolling pin. My wooden one has become a loyal companion, though marble and silicone versions are out there too. Shop Rolling pins at Amazon here

  3.  Pastry Brush

    For years I used a bristly brush that looked like it belonged in a shaving kit. Then a silicone pastry brush appeared on my counter—game changer! I use it for egg washes, grilling, glazing, and more. Easy to clean, no bristle drama. order here

  4. Pastry Mat or Board

    Confession: I don’t own one yet, but it’s on my wish list. Rolling dough on parchment paper is a struggle. A pastry mat offers a non‑stick, flat surface that keeps counters clean and dough intact. You can order one here

  5. Cooling Racks   

    I upgraded from flimsy little squares to heavy‑duty racks, and wow—what a difference. Cookies, breads, and cakes cool evenly, with plenty of air circulation. Cleanup is simple, too. Available at Welcoming Haven here

  6. Whisk & Silicone Spatulas…

    A sturdy whisk helps you quickly blend batters, whip cream, or aerate eggs for fluffier cakes and pastries. I have a dozen (at least)  of different sizes. Meanwhile, silicone spatulas are perfect for scraping every bit of that delicious batter from bowls or folding in delicate mixtures like foamy egg whites into decadent chocolate for a mousse creation. Find them at Welcoming Haven here.

 

I’ve got more tools to share, but for now I’m off to bake cookies for the annual cookie exchange. What’s on your own must‑have list?

 

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I only recommend products and tools that I believe add value and that I would use myself. Your trust is important, and I strive to provide honest, helpful information.