Pecan Squares ...p103

The last of my 2010 Christmas concoctions was Pecan Squares.  My daughter contributed this recipe and to quote her, "if you like pecan pie...oh my...these are to die for.  I can't even stand to think about these - they are that good!"

Well, after a couple nights' frenetic Christmas goody baking,  I decided I could assemble the bottom layer of this recipe one night and the rest the following day.  Great idea, but when I assembled the other layers, I forgot I hadn't baked the bottom layer.....  I couldn't quite figure out why the bottom layer was so doughy until I realized my mistake!  Not wanting to pitch all the expensive pecans, I opted to extend the baking time of all layers to what they would have equaled separately, fearing the filling may be pecan brittle or pralines when finished.  (Mmmm...bourbon and pralines!)  Alas, granted I'm not sure what the "accurately baked" recipe tastes like, this faux pas was still yummy and delectably acceptable to bring to our New Year's celebration where everyone exclaimed they loved it.

I'll have to try it again another time....after the holiday sugar rush has subsided long enough to consider baking once more!

unbaked....all layers!  be sure to bake the bottom FIRST.

After baking, crisp but still delicious!

Hardy Appetit!

Pink Ladies ...p117

Papére Making Pink Ladies

Pink Ladies were the celebratory toast of choice at my Grandpa Lou's & Grandma Alma's home on Christmas Eve (and sometimes New Year's) all the while I was growing up and has been ritualistically prepared and served up by a male annually at one of our homes since.

So shock it was this year when no male volunteered to take up this honored tradition of bartending the Pink Ladies....  turns out we decided no one really likes them, it's just something we continue with in order to connect with the Lous before us....  it is the process of watching the eldest gentleman concoct something unusual rather than the consuming of this pepto-bismol colored, sugary, frothy drink that we all like.

But when push came to shove, I couldn't let it go, and minutes before the New Year struck, I broke tradition and became the first female to concoct the libation.

The directions are somewhat vague, and my memory of how they did it, even vaguer, so it was a good thing only one person watched me (and that, a perfect stranger - thank you, Bucky, maybe you are meant to continue this!), and no pictures captured the comedy.  I am assuming when they say "mixer" they don't mean blender....  The blender worked fine until I added the Ginger Ale.  Well, you can imagine the mess I made....BUT I did successfully fill about 10 little glasses with the concoction, which the critic proclaimed almost perfect (ha! she wasn't in the kitchen!) - Vernor's Ginger Ale, which, like us, originated in Detroit, would have made them "perfect."  After finding about 9 half-full glasses remaining in the kitchen, my sister and I concluded that maybe, just maybe, some traditions are not meant to be carried on....

Sorry, Papére!  Peut-être l'année prochaine!  Somehow mom's words rang in my ears that night, "If Louie had been here...."  I would love for someone - male or female to comment with the correct preparation technique.


Hardy Appetit!