Festive Flavor
EVANS CITY — With Christmas just a week away avid cooks and novices alike are taking to the kitchen, preparing time-tested favorites and experimental new treats to serve during holiday celebrations.
Diane Marburger, who works as the county's treasurer, will once again be preparing a recipe for Brutzel bars, a simple recipe for a toffee and chocolate candy.
"My daughter, Madelynn, always asks me to make Brutzel, just to make sure Ihaven't forgotten to include it on my list of things to do for the holidays,"she said.
The recipe, which she also prepares for gifts, was received during an office party many years ago.
To Marburger, sharing recipes is both a compliment and a convenience.
"I think being asked to share my recipes is a real sign that the food tastes good and that others want to prepare it so they too can enjoy it with friends and family.
With a kitchen equipped for entertaining, Marburger has created her own system for making holiday events easy.
With two ovens, two refrigerators and plenty of counter space, a great deal of food can be prepared in advance of an event.
To keep special evenings running smoothly, she always packages up extra food in plastic containers before dinner, having them ready to distribute to guests as they prepare to leave.
Advance planning is the main key to Marburger's entertaining style.
"My tables are set with holiday dishware and festive tablecloths ahead of time so they are very inviting to my guests. In fact, my dining room table has been set since Dec. 1. Ijust like looking at it."
The preparation also keeps her dining room table from becoming a place of clutter during the holiday season.
"I like to look at my table as much as I like to look at my Christmas tree."
A favorite holiday recipe in the Marburger home, Diane Marburger said these brutzel bars have a taste similar to Heath Bar candy. She also noted that a brutzel boil means "a gentle, lazy, surface bubbling of a mixture or liquid."Nonstick cooking spray1 sleeve of Saltine crackers1 cup butter (no substitutions)1 cup sugar1 (12 ounce) package milk chocolate morselsPreheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard-sized cookie sheet with aluminum foil that has built up sides. Lightly spray the foil with nonstick spray.Arrange saltine crackers over foil to make a single layer. Set aside.In a medium saucepan, combine butter and sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook to a "brutzel" boil. As soon as mixture reaches the "brutzel" boil, remove from heat and pour gently over crackers.Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and rearrange any crackers that may have moved.Immediately sprinkle chocolate morsels over top. Wait 2 to 3 minutes, then spread melted chocolate evenly with a knife to cover crackers.Cool on wire rack, then refrigerate for a few hours.Remove from refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving. Cut or break into pieces.
Though zucchini's peak season is over by the holidays, the apple pie-like flavor of this zucchini dessert brings a holiday flavor to any time of year.Crust4 cups flour2 cups sugar½ teaspoon cinnamon½ teaspoon salt1½ cups cold butterFilling8 to 10 cups zucchini, peeled and cubed2/3 cups lemon juice1 cup sugar1 teaspoon cinnamon½ teaspoon nutmegIn a bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Reserve 3 cups.Pat remaining mixture in bottom of greased 13- by 9-inch cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.While crust is baking, place zucchini and lemon juice in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 8 minutes.Stir in sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cover and simmer 5 more minutes. Spoon over crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes.Makes 12 servings.Submitted by Diane Marburger
