Do you know what Braunschweiger is?

I can remember being VERY young and hearing my dad “sneak” to the refrigerator in the evening.  I would follow, knowing he was going to cut off a hunk of braunschweiger to snack on.  If I caught him, he’d cut off a hunk for me, too (bribery to keep me from telling on him!) Mom would pretend to be annoyed when she’d see the half a hunk left in the fridge…”Who ate all the braunschweiger?”  Dad and I would just grin at each other, knowing full well that mom knew the truth. Sue Ann, did you ever get any?

A couple of years after my mom died (SIXTEEN YEARS ago yesterday…wow…where did the time go?), my dad remarried.  Dorothy made my dad really, really happy for almost ten years! They loved life together, and had lots of fun dancing the years away. We love her SO much for that!  And she made US happy for many reasons…she made dad happy, she loved us, loved our kids, AND… because she introduced braunschweiger dip to our family!

I think the first time I had this dip was when dad and Dorothy visited for Caleb’s confirmation.  She may have made it before that, when we visited at their house, but I don’t remember that.  I just know we looked at it and said “ummm…thanks…what is it?”  (It is NOT a lovely looking dish, LOL)  One bite and we were over the MOON!  Oh, it is SOOO yummy! We like it best with Triscuit type crackers or Wheat Thins…(maybe Wheat thins best, but only because we just LOVE saying it like THIS COMMERCIAL!  )
It is now a standard dip at Confirmation parties, birthday parties, Thanksgiving appetizers and New Year’s Eve.  You just gotta try it!

BRAUNSCHWEIGER DIP

• 1 lb. braunschweiger
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup mayo (or Salad Dressing)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• dash Worcestershire sauce
• 2 T. Dill pickle juice
• 1 t. horseradish
• 1 t. garlic powder

Blend all together (I usually throw it all into the food processor and process til it is smooth) and chill.  Serve with Wheat thin or Triscuit type crackers.  It is also good with pita chips!

Thanks, Dorothy!  We love you!

Caleb’s graduation, May 2009

Family Favorite!

When I  am making a holiday dinner for my family, I generally make the same things every year.  I might try a new recipe once in a while, or I might take a break from one (for example…this year, I skipped the 7 layer salad, and disappointed my niece.  Sorry, MadiLou!  I will for sure make it next year!)

There is one item on the menu, however, that will cause a revolt if I skip it.  All of my kids (except one), and my hubby, and my sister just LOVE sweet potato casserole.  I like it, too.   This is one holiday recipe that will be on my table every single time.  The main course may switch from turkey to ham, and the salads may be switched up a bit, but this one…it will be there!  It’s SO good!

I decided to add some of the family favorite holiday recipes to the blog, for the sake of my children (um…Rachel) who might want to replicate a holiday dinner “like mom used to make”.

I guess I will have to update the blog next year, when I actually TAKE a picture of the sweet potato casserole! But for now, the recipe alone will have to do.

• 3 large cans sweet potatoes
• 1/4 - 1/3 c. milk
• 1/4 c. orange juice
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/2 t. salt
• 3 T. melted butter
• 1/2 t. nutmeg
• 1/2 t. cinnamon

TOPPING:

• 1/3 c. softened butter
• 3/4 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. flour
• pecans
• marshmallows

Beat all casserole ingredients together. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Mix brown sugar, butter and flour.  Sprinkle on top.  Top with pecans.  (I usually leave the pecans off) Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.  Top with marshmallows  Bake 10 minutes more.

MMMMmmmmmm….it’s like eating candy…