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20 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, December 8, 2011 What's Cookin': Holiday baking tips for a Christmas party Gerry is writing today 4. Marzipan or almond paste is a I realized as I prepared goodies paste of crushed almonds and sugar for our annual Christmas open house (and one of my favorite confectionarlast weekend that I used a great deal ies). Both the French and German culof years of knowledge that I wasn't tures prepare their marzipan by differeven aware I had. It all just comes so ent methods. Marzipan is traditionally naturally from years in the catering used to "ice" Christmas fruit cake, but business, having a passion for baking has many other uses in desserts, such and cooking all my life and basically, peel for the chocolate chips to make as stuffing dates or adding coloring the desire to make people deliciously them more seasonal. Or add some of and flavoring to make miniature fruits. happy with some good food. Five hundred grams of marzipan will everything to make a hermit cookie. So, here's some simple, hopefully 3. Mincemeat is a filling consist- "ice" a 10x10 cake. I spread warm apriuseful information as you prepare ing of dried fruit, chopped nuts, often cot jam on my fruit cake, then top with your holiday fare. Remember, don't be apple, suet and spices. Although called a 1/4 layer of rolled-out marzipan (afafraid of inviting friends over, a scaled- mince MEAT, nowadays, it contains no ter I sample the trimmed edges), then down simple party is better than hav- meat. Usually, this is made into small frost with a butter cream icing. ing no party at all. It's all about the tarts, because the filling is so rich. 5. When using chocolate in a recipe, friends and the laughter, any flavor of chipits can be not what's on your table! substitutes, such as dark choc1. Sandwiches 101-- It olate, milk chocolate, buttertakes 1 1/4 eggs to make a scotch, or white chocolate. I two-slice sandwich, 50-60 often use a bar of milk or dark (makes 40 squares) Method grams of shaved deli meat, Over low heat, melt chocolate in baking if I don't Ingredients or one 170 gram can of chocolate with con- have chocolate chips and just · 350 grams tuna/salmon makes three densed milk and but- chop it up with a sharp knife semi sweet two-slice sandwiches to cut ter. Remove from into desired sizes and add to chocolate chips in quarters, crusts on or heat. In a large bowl, your recipe. Use any leftover · 1 (300 ml) can off. Remember, sandwiches combine nuts and chocolate and melt to drizzle sweetened, are substantial to go along marshmallows. Fold over shortbread cookies for condensed milk with all the other little bites in chocolate mixture. an extra touch. · 2 tbsp butter (especially for the guys). Hope this inspires you to Spread in a 9" x 13" · 2 cups dry 2. When baking cookget in the kitchen for your enbaking pan lined with roasted peanuts ies, you can always just joyment and everyone else's. waxed paper. Chill 2 · 250 grams mini prepare the batter, then Have fun and keep cookin'. hours. Remove from marshmallows substitute chopped cherComments and questions pan. Peel off paper. Cut ries, apricots, raisins, curcan be sent to Lori and Gerry and serve. rants, any nuts or fruit at whatscooking@theifp.ca Community Calendar Continued from pg. 19 Monday, Dec. 12 Georgetown Skating Club registration: at Mold-Masters SportsPlex 4-8 p.m. Also on Dec. 14. Online registration: www.georgetownskatingclub.ca Community Christmas Choral Concert Festival of Lessons and Carols: will be held 7 p.m. at St. John's United Church, 11 Guelph St. A free will collection will be shared with the local Salvation Army's Christmas Kettle Campaign. Tuesday, Dec. 13 Free Resume Reviews: Learn how to develop a targeted and effective resume one on one with a Georgetown Employment Services Employment Advisor, 2-4 p.m. at the Georgetown Library, 224 Maple Ave. Book your appointment, 905-702-7311 ext 109. Networking Thru the Holidays: free, 2 p.m. at Links2Care Employment Resource Centre, Acton. Learn the do's and don'ts, how to build and use your network, and make free business cards that will keep you on people's minds. Info: 519-853-5014. Merry Christmas Storytime: will be held 7 p.m. at the Acton branch of the Halton Hills Library, 17 River St. Enjoy stories, hot chocolate and songs. Info: 519-853-0301. Lego contest: Kids, bring your Lego creation to the Georgetown library, 224 Maple Ave. between Dec. 13-17. Then come in and vote for your favourites between Dec. 18 and Dec. 24. Halton Hills "Colouring Outside the Lines" Youth Group for all LGBTTTIQQAA youth, ages 14 to 24, 7-9 p.m. Please email HOPE, info@haltonpride. org for details. Info: www.haltonpride.org. Rocky Road Fudge Come and Find the True Meaning of Christmas You and your family are invited to join us in celebration and song and good cheer this Christmas. We are holding Christmas Services and Programs to meet your needs. Sunday December 11 at 10:00 AM White Gift Worship Service. Gifts of food and toys are received and given to local outreach. Choir Cantata Concert at 7:00 PM, "Lead Me Back To Bethlehem" Come and enjoy the delightful music of our Senior Choir. Sunday December 18 at 10:00 AM Worship Service Christmas Stories and Carols, Praise Team, Choir Singing Saturday December 24 at 7:00 PM Family Christmas Eve Service An informal and upbeat service with lots of music, specially designed for families. Nativity Play, "The Innkeepers Story" Refreshments to Follow 9:00 PM Christmas Eve Traditional Service Choir singing, readings, carols, candlelight and communion for those who like a more reflective and meditative experience. December 25th at 10 AM Christmas Sunday Lessons and Carols Service to Celebrate the Christmas Miracle St. Andrew's United Church 89 Mountainview Rd. S, Georgetown, 905-877-4482 www.standrewsuc.ca Look for our flyer in today's paper! Only in selected areas. See in store for complete details.