Christmas Recipes: Red Velvet Cake, Holiday Dips
December 25, 2012
The holidays are a time when a lot of people head into the kitchen to cook for family and friends. You just can’t go wrong with a red velvet cake. We also have a couple of dip recipes just in time for your Christmas entertaining — a black bean dip and a hot cream cheese dip.
Red Velvet Cake
by Shirley Boone
CAKE
- 1 ½ cups oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 ½ cups cake flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp. cocoa
- 1 oz bottle red food coloring
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. cider vinegar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
Mix oil and sugar together. Add eggs and beat well. Add food coloring. Add vinegar to buttermilk and pour into oil mixture. Add vanilla. In small bowl combine cake flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Mix with other ingredients until well blended. Pour into 9 inch greased and floured pans. Bake at 350 degrees. Two pans bake for 30-35 minutes, three pans bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes and wrap in plastic wrap until cool.
ICING
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 box confectioners sugar
- 1 stick Parkay margarine, softened
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Mix all together until creamed. Spread on cooled cake.
Black Bean Dip
by Mona Brown
- 2 cans black beans, drained
- 2 cans shoe peg corn, drained
- ½ bunch green onions, chopped
- Sprinkle of garlic powder
- Mix ½ cup olive oil, ½ cup apple cider vinegar and ½ cup sugar.
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. Marinate for 24 hours. Drain and add 8 ounces of feta cheese. Serve with Scoops.
Hot Cream Cheese Dip
from the Molino Homemakers Club
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1 cup cooked crumbled bacon
- 3 stalks green onion diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Mix all ingredients and pour into a 9×9 glass pan or pie plate. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve warm with Chicken in a Biscuit crackers.
Have A Holly Jolly – Century Care Residents Celebrate Christmas
December 25, 2012
Residents at Century Care Century recently celebrated Christmas was an afternoon party. Numerous local residents and organizations contributed gifts, time and hard work to make the event a memorable success.
During the event, Rev. Janet Lee was presented a plaque for the Century United Methodist Church honoring their many years of dedication to the CCC residents. And David Comalander was honored for being the center’s No. 1 resident volunteer.
“We have a wonderful, giving community, that makes Christmas a big success every year, all year,” said Mae Hildreth, Century Care activities director. “A big thank you to all.”
Pictured: Christmas at Century Care Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt: A Baby Changes Everything
December 25, 2012
The First Baptist Church of Bratt recently presented the musical/drama “A Baby Changes Everything”.
Pictured: The production “A Baby Changes Everything” at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Courtesy photos from Marcella Wilson, click to enlarge.
Molino: Worship The Newborn King
December 25, 2012
Highland Baptist Church in Molino recently presented the production “Worship The Newborn King.”
Pictured: Highland Baptist Church recently presented “Worship the Newborn King”. Courtesy photos by Sara Calhoun, click to enlarge.
FBC AWANA Celebrates Christmas
December 25, 2012
The AWANA Club at the First Baptist Church of Bratt recently held a “Happy Birthday Jesus” party with about 60 children and teachers taking part.
The children enjoyed a hot dog supper and a “Happy Birthday Jesus” cake, recreational activities and relays on brand new Scooter boards.
The AWANA Club, for ages 3 through the fifth grade, meets every Sunday in the First Baptist Church of Bratt’s Family Life Center from 5-7 p.m., learning about missions, memorizing scripture, learning Bible stories, earning awards and much more. The group is open to children from across the area.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Eve Shooting Under Investigation In Pace
December 24, 2012
A Christmas Eve shooting is under investigation in Pace.
About 6:30 Monday morning, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting in the 4800 block of Pembrook Place. An adult male victim told deputies that he heard noises outside near his vehicle and went to investigate.
He encountered a male suspect wearing all black trying to burglarize his vehicle and a physical confrontation followed. A second suspect wearing all black joined the altercation.
One of the suspects pulled a gun, shooting in the victim in the left and his finger before both suspects fled. The victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Anyone with information concerning the identity of the suspects is asked to contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 983-1190, or call Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
Christmas Holiday Closures, Trash Pickup Changes
December 24, 2012
For the Christmas holidays:
Escambia and Santa Rosa county offices will be closed Monday and Tuesday.
Century, Jay and Pensacola city offices will be closed Monday and Tuesday.
The Perdido Landfill will be open normal hours on Monday.
ECAT: — All service ends at 5 p.m. Monday.
ECUA – All residential routes for garbage, recycling and yard trash scheduled for Tuesday, December 25 will be made on Monday, December 24. Commercial (dumpster) customers scheduled for Tuesday will be picked up on Wednesday.
Christmas Gas Prices Down, Travel Forecast Higher
December 24, 2012
Christmas gas prices are down just pennies over last year, according to the latest numbers from AAA.
The average price per gallon of regular unleaded gas was $3.15 Sunday night in the Escambia County area, compared to $3.18 on year ago and an improvement from $3.28 on month ago.
AAA projects 93.3 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holidays, an increase of 1.6 percent over the 91.8 million people who traveled last year. This increase brings holiday travel figures to within half a million of the decade high mark seen during the 2006/2007 season. The year-end holiday travel period is defined as Saturday, Dec. 22 to Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.
“The year-end holiday season remains the least volatile of all travel holidays as Americans will not let economic conditions or high gas prices dictate if they go home for the holidays or kick off the New Year with a vacation,” said AAA President and CEO Robert Darbelnet. “Primary economic indicators all show modest improvement from last year and AAA is projecting an increase in the number of Americans stuffing their stockings with airline tickets and hotel reservations.”
“As we enter the New Year, one unknown for travel is the looming ‘fiscal cliff’ and the resulting uncertainty related to near-term tax and benefit changes. Having these items unresolved complicates many travelers’ ability to develop an accurate household budget as they plan for future spending and saving decisions. It is important that Congress and the President work together to quickly resolve the situation for the good of the nation,” said Darbelnet.
Impact of gasoline prices on travel plans
AAA estimates the national average price of gasoline will slowly drop through the end of the year and average between $3.20-3.40 a gallon by New Year’s Day. Gas prices dropped about 50 cents a gallon on average from September through early December, but remain at record highs for this time of year. AAA does not expect gas prices to have a major impact on travel volume, but consumers could have more money to spend on holiday shopping, dining and entertainment if prices drop through December as expected.
Automobile travel remains dominant mode of transportation, air travel increases
Approximately 90 percent of travelers (84.4 million) plan to travel by automobile this holiday season. This is a 1.3 percent increase over the 83.3 million people who traveled by auto last year. Air travel is expected to increase 4.5 percent as six percent of travelers or 5.6 million will take to the skies.
Those traveling by air will find lower airfares according to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index. For the year-end holiday period the average lowest round-trip rate is $203 for the top 40 U.S. air routes, a three percent decrease from last year. Approximately 3.3 million travelers will choose other modes of transportation, including rail, bus and cruise ship.
Pictured: A gas delivery at a station in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Legislative Hires Get Raises
December 24, 2012
A spokeswoman for Senate President Don Gaetz has confirmed a newspaper report that several top legislative staffers have gotten pay raises.
Most state workers have gone six years without a pay raise. But The Miami Herald reported that more than 60 top staff in the Legislature are now making more than $100,000 a year, and that the 17 highest paid legislative staffers all got raises.
Chris Clark, who was Gaetz’ top aide in his Senate office and now will be chief of staff in the president’s office, got a $77,000 raise and will now make $150,000 a year. House Speaker Will Weatherford’s chief of staff, Kathy Mears, will make $145,000. Gaetz also hired Lisa Vickers at $135,000 as an advisor, a $15,000 raise from when she was the director of the Department of Revenue.
By The News Service of Florida
Christmas Recipes: Rice Krispie Treats, Oatmeal Cookies, Hot Chocolate
December 24, 2012
We are continuing our Christmas recipe series today with some family time favorites.
Today’s recipes include Traditional Oatmeal Cookies, Crockpot Candy and Rice Krispie Treats — perfect recipes for the family to make together. And what would Christmas be without Hot Chocolate? Our quick and easy recipe can easily be increased to make enough for everyone, plus it’s easy to include some extra cocoa powder for a deeper, darker treat.
To submit your recipes to share with our readers, email them to news@northescambia.com.
Crock Pot Candy
submitted by Brooke Mixon
- 16 oz Salted Peanuts
- 16 oz UnSalted Peanuts
- 4 oz German Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Almond Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Butterscotch Morsels
Put all ingredients into crock pot. Cook on low for 2 hours. Do not stir or open lid. After 2 hours, turn off crock pot, stir candy and drop in clusters onto wax paper. Let cool and enjoy. This recipe will make 70-90 pieces of candy, depending on the size.
Traditional Oatmeal Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 3 cups of Quaker Oats (Quick)
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
Preheat oven to 350° F. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Slowly stir in oats. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on sheet, remove to wire rack.
Rice Krispie Treats
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 (10 oz., about 40) pkg. regular marshmallows or 3 cups miniature marshmallows
- 6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and continue to stir until the marshmallows have completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in the Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal coating them well with the melted marshmallow mixture. Using a buttered or silicone spatula, press the mixture evenly into a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan which has been buttered or sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with wax paper. Cut into squares when the mixture cools. Makes 24 squares.
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
Microwave butter with marshmallows on high setting for 2 minutes in a microwave safe mixing bowl. Stir together when melted. Microwave again on high for 1 additional minute. Stir in cereal, mixing until well coated. Press into pan as above.
Hot Chocolate
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp. sugar
- 2 tbsp. water
- 1 c. milk
- a bit of vanilla, if desired
Combine cocoa, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Heat it on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the paste from sticking to the pan. After about 1 to 2 minutes, add milk and vanilla. Mix it all together until it reaches your preferred temperature.