Edible Snowflakes
fresh, thin flour tortillas
cooking oil
powdered sugar
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1.
Using the same technique as cutting out paper snowflakes, you can make snowflake shapes out of flour tortillas. Sprinkle the tortilla with water and warm it in the microwave or oven to make it more flexible. Then fold the tortilla in half, fold it in half again, and fold it in half a third time. Using clean scissors or kitchen shears, cut designs from both sides of the triangle-shaped, folded tortilla and along the rounded edge.
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2.
Unfold the tortilla. Put a small amount of oil in a pan and fry the tortilla until it is crisp.
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3.
Sprinkle it with powdered sugar.
Candlestick Salad
This candle will brighten your holiday, and it tastes wonderful!
1 cup alfalfa sprouts, divided
4 pineapple rings
4 ripe bananas
1 cup strawberry yogurt
4 fresh strawberries
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1.
Spread 1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts on four individual serving plates. Place pineapple rings on top of the sprouts.
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2.
Peel and slice a 3-inch (8-cm) piece of banana. Stand the banana upright in the pineapple ring. Cut a notch across the top of the banana.
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3.
Pour yogurt over the banana and let it drizzle down the sides to resemble melted wax.
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4.
Slice strawberries about 1/4 inch (.6 cm) thick. Stand the strawberry slice in the notch in the banana to look like the flame on a candle.
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5.
Cut four 1/2-inch (1-cm) thick slices from the remaining bananas.
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6.
Cut a notch in the banana slices. Stand them on the edge of the pineapple ring for a handle. Serve immediately.
Mini Manger
You will need:
large pinecone or brown paper cut into 1/2 x 1/2-inch (1 x 1-cm) squares
a clean plastic scoop from a dry-detergent box
a small handful of moss, raffia, or hay
craft glue
yellow construction paper
1 tissue
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1.
Remove the scales from the pinecone and set them aside.
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2.
Place the scoop on a table with the handle pointing toward the ceiling. Glue a bit of moss, raffia, or hay in the bottom of the scoop, or the side that is resting on the table. This will be the floor of the stable.
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3.
To represent the baby Jesus, cut out a small oval shape from the construction paper and wrap one end with a small piece of tissue. Use a fine-tipped marker to draw eyes and a smile on the other end, if desired. Place the baby on the moss, raffia, or hay.
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4.
Glue rows of pinecone scales on the “roof” of the stable to look like shingles. Start on the edge farthest from the scoop’s handle and work toward the handle.
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5.
Cut a star from the construction paper and glue the star to the top of the handle. Let the glue dry completely.
Christmas Tree Candy Ropes
For years, people have strung popcorn, paper chains, or tinsel around their Christmas trees. This can be a sweet holiday if you make candy ropes for Christmas tree decorations. You can enjoy the candy after Christmas or make a rope to give to a friend.
You will need:
a variety of hard candy
colored plastic wrap or aluminum foil
a stapler
ribbon
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1.
If any of the candy is wrapped in paper that is unsuitable for Christmas, remove the wrapper and wrap the candy in colored plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
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2.
Staple the ends of the wrapping on the candy together horizontally to form a rope.
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3.
Tie ribbon between the candies to help disguise the staples.
Holiday Party Drink
3 cups sugar
12 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 1/2 cups lemon juice
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 tablespoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
5 quarts water
With permission or the help of an adult, combine all the ingredients in a large pot. Heat but do not boil. Serve warm.
Illustrations by Jared Beckstrand