Don't get your tinsel in a tangle




Christmastime is when everyone brings out their family traditions. I wanted to share a family recipe that mixes the sharp tang of cheese, the sweetness of fruit and has a nutty crunch on top. It's what's featured in the photo above. This treasure is from one of my Mother's "vintage" cookbooks.The kind that has a splay-toothed plastic spiral binding and a smudge of...something marking its pages.

They're called "Tea and Party Pick-Ups," even the recipe's name sounds like something from an I Love Lucy show. She and her best friend Vivian might have made these in their television kitchen.

Psst, they are quick and easy to make. But it can be your secret.




Tea and Party Pick-ups


1 stick butter (softened to room temperature)
1/2 lb grated sharp cheddar cheese  
1 1/2 c flour
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne
12 pitted whole dates
12 pecan halves

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cream butter and cheddar cheese together, adding flour, salt, and cayenne, blend. Pinch off a small amount (approx. 1/2 inch) and mold into the palm of your hand. Put a pecan-wrapped date in the center of the cheese ball. Bake for about 15 minutes, until they are light brown. Store in a container unrefrigerated. They will last for days.  

During this Christmas, don't get your tinsel in a tangle. Take some time for yourself, and have fun with family and friends celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus. And, if you have a Christmas tradition you'd like to share, please feel free to let me know.



Thank you for stopping by my blog, friends. You have made it a wonderful year. I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'll see you in 2019!!




Comments

  1. Wow, I would never have thought of combining cheddar cheese and dates. This is very interesting. And somehow the cayenne seems very southern! I love the phrase Pick-Ups. It must be a precursor to finger food.

    My favorite holiday with dates at Christmas was always to stuff them with a mixture of cream cheese and sugar, then add a pecan and roll the whole thing in granulated sure. Boy, talk about sweet! But my brother loved them and he was so sweet that we always made them for him.

    Have a blessed Christmas. I hope you spend lots of time with family and friends.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your date recipe sounds very good Barbara. I'd imagine the combination of ingredients would be delicious.

      Thank you for the Christmas wish, I wish you all the best and much joy during our Christmas season and New Year!

      Delete

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