Happy New Year!

Flancete (Flonsita)

"This recipe is an old family favorite and this year my Mom taught me how to make it.  It's a delicious pastry to make and share with family and friends this holiday season!"

In a large skillet, pour enough vegetable oil to measure about 1 inch deep.  Heat oil to 380 degrees. 

In a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer, cream together:

1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened

1 cup sugar

6 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups cottage cheese

To mixture, add:

7 cups flour, adding a little at a time

2 teaspoons baking powder

Mix until completely combined (Dough will be very thick).  Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead well to make sure that all ingredients are combined.  On a large counter or table top, roll dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness and cut into 2 inch wide by 4 inch long strips.*  Cut a 1-inch slit down the middle of each strip.  Take one end of the strip, put it through the slit and pull the dough through.  Fry each strip until light golden brown on both sides.  Drain on paper towel.  Allow to cool.  When ready to serve, sprinkle with powdered sugar.  ENJOY! 

 

*Tip:  If you don't have a large area to roll out the dough, you can divide the dough up and roll it out and cut it a little at a time.    

 

Makes approximately 8 dozen pieces.  Recipe can be cut in half to make about 4 dozen pieces.

 

 



Santa's Shortbread Bites

"No matter what your baking needs are this Christmas, these shortbread bites will help you check off your holiday baking list!"



 

2-1/4 cups flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cut into large cubes

1 Tablespoon each of red and green decorating sugar

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a food processor, combine flour, cornstarch and sugar.  Add cubed butter and process until mixture resembles fine sand.  Add red and green decorating sugars and mix until sugars are distributed throughout dough.  Press dough into an 8x8 pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.  Run a knife horizontally and vertically through the dough, pushing down about half the thickness of the dough, to create squares.  (Scoring the dough will make it easier to cut the shortbread when it's cool.)  Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.  Allow to cool for about 20 minutes and cut through shortbread along scored lines.  ENJOY!

 

Roasted Red Potatoes

"This recipe is a super-duper simple side dish that would be a delicious addition to any meal!"

6 red potatoes, unpeeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
1-2 Tablespoons of canola oil
desired amount of seasonings (I used a combination of salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and Weber Gourmet Burger seasoning*.)
Ranch dressing, if desired

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.  Place potato chunks on cookie sheet.  Pour oil over potatoes and sprinkle on seasonings.  Toss until oil and seasonings are well distributed on potatoes.  Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender.  Serve with Ranch dressing for dipping.

*TIP:  You can substitute any seasonings for these potatoes.  I have also used Montreal Steak and Garlic and Herb Seasoning instead of the Gourmet Burger.  Use any combination of seasonings to make the recipe your own.