WINTER SQUASH, ONION AND GARLIC SOUP

4 cups leftover roasted winter squash with red onions and garlic (see previous recipe)
4 cups milk
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Pinch of cumin
Salt to taste

Mash leftover squash mixture with potato masher. Mix with milk and spices. Simmer 20 minutes. Taste, add salt as necessary. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 1-cup servings.

Hershey's Rich Cocoa Box Fudge

Hershey's Rich Cocoa Box Fudge


3 c. granulated sugar
2/3 c Hershey's cocoa
1/8 tsp. salt
1-1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. (half stick), butter or margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped nuts, optional

Butter an 8 or 9 inch square pan and set aside. In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt. Stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a full rolling boil. Boil without stirring until mixture reaches 234 degrees on a candy thermometer, or until it reaches the "soft ball stage". Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla, but do not stir.

Cool at room temperature until mixture is luke warm, (about 110. Beat with a wooden spoon until mixture begins to thicken and begins to lose some of its gloss. Quickly spread into prepared pan and cool completely before cutting.

Scottish Shortbread

Scottish Shortbread

1/2 pound unsalted butter (2 sticks or 1 cup)
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups flour
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
pinch salt

Preparation:

Mix well, roll out to about 1/4-inch thick and cut into shapes. Or, roll into small balls then roll in finely chopped nuts or sugar; place on cookie lightly greased cookie sheets and flatten with the bottom of a glass. Bake at 300° F. for approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

Icing: Blend 2 cups sifted powdered sugar with 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons milk or half and half. Stir until smooth and add more milk or half-and-half if necessary. If color is desired, spoon portions of icing into small bowls and stir drops of food coloring in until desired colors are achieved.