Holiday TreatsI'm not much of a cookie baker, but I do love to share a homemade treat during the holidays. We've been making this toffee for years. No candy thermometer required. It's super simple and pretty much everyone loves it.  Microwave Toffee1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 cup butter 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup water 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate morsels 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans Sprinkle 1/2 cup pecans in a 9-inch circle on a greased cookie sheet; set aside Coat the top 2 inches of a 2 quart Pyrex measuring cup with butter Place remaining butter in the measuring cup Add sugar, salt and water; do not stir Microwave on HIGH 11 minutes or until the mixture just begins to turn light brown Pour over pecans Sprinkle with chocolate morsels Let stand 1 minute, then spread melting morsels over the sugar mixture Sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped pecans Chill until firm Break into bite-size pieces Yields 1 pound Original recipe from Jan Ramsey Quintaque, Texas vis Southern Living Virginia for the holidaysI've just returned from a quick trip to Virginia. First stop was Colonial Williamsburg to check out their wonderful Christmas decorations.  Natural materials, creatively combined to make striking displays.    Next stop Monticello in Charlottesville -also decorated for the holidays   They have recently restored the second and third floors and you can now see "what's upstair" The behind the scenes tour gives a fuller understanding of family life at this iconic home.
  Such a lovely mix of updated traditional and antique pieces.   Luckily the house is under contract, and I don't have $2.4 million to spare. Otherwise, I might be moving in. |
