ArcaMax Recipes 12/21/2005

Cranberry-Apple Punch
Smoked Oyster Log
Smithfield Ham with Raisin Sauce
Cranberry-Orange-Walnut Relish
Bourbon Balls

In keeping with tradition, we offer a variety of seasonal recipes
this time. We hope this helps you with your celebrations.
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Starters
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Cranberry-Apple Punch

2 quarts cranberry juice
1 and 1/2 quarts apple cider
2 tsp. whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp. whole allspice
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 cup brown sugar

Combine all ingredients in a large pot and simmer for 1 hour or
longer if desired. Remove cinnamon sticks, whole allspice and
whole cloves before serving. Makes 25 - 30 cups of punch.

The Skinny: Use low sugar cranberry juice and resist the urge to
add vodka, even if the in-laws are coming to dinner this year.

Smoked Oyster Log

1 8-oz. package cream cheese
2 Tbsp. milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 3-oz. jar smoked oysters, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup pecans, chopped

Combine all ingredients except pecans and mix well. Place on waxed
paper and roll to create a log about 10 - 12 inches long. Chill until
ready to serve or about 1 hour. Roll log in chopped pecans and
serve with crackers.

The Skinny: Use low fat cream cheese, sour cream and milk.
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Main Course
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Smithfield Ham

1 Smithfield or country ham (10 to 15 pounds)
6 cups water

Soak ham in water overnight in large pan. The next day, drain and
scrub ham thoroughly with stiff brush. Put water in large
roasting pan. Put ham in pan skin side up and put on lid.
Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Cook ham for 1 minute per pound in
500 degree oven.

Turn off oven for 2 hours. DO NOT OPEN OVEN!!
Reheat oven to 500 degrees and cook ham for 1 minute per
pound. Turn off heat and leave ham in oven for at least 7
hours without opening oven. Remove ham from pan and slice very thin.
Servewith raisin sauce.

The Skinny: Smithfield ham is very salty and it is best when
sliced paper thin.

Raisin Sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 cup raisins
1 Tbsp. butter
1 cup water
2 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. ground cloves

Combine brown sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in a saucepan and
mix well. Add remaining ingredients and heat over medium heat
until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes.

Serve with ham.

The Skinny: Use your favorite (brown) sugar substitute for
the brown sugar.

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Desserts
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Cranberry Cookies

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp. milk
1/4 cup orange juice
3 cups fresh cranberries, chopped
2/3 cup chopped walnuts

Combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Cream together
butter and sugars. Add egg, milk, orange juice and mix well. Slowly
add flour mixture and mix well. Stir in cranberries and walnuts. Drop
teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet and bake
for 10 - 15 minutes at 375 degrees.

The Skinny: Use (brown) sugar substitute. Use low fat milk and
reduced sugar orange juice.

Bourbon Balls

3 cups vanilla wafers, crushed
2/3 cup confectioner's sugar
1 cup nuts, chopped
2 Tbsp. light corn syrup
2 Tbsp. cocoa
1/2 cup bourbon
Extra confectioner's sugar

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Form into 1/2 inch balls and
roll in confectioner's sugar. Wrap in wax paper. Makes about
45 - 50.

The Skinny: Use your favorite sugar substitute. Resist urge to sip
bourbon while making cookies.
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Grocery List
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2 quarts cranberry juice
1 and 1/2 quarts apple cider
2 tsp. whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp. whole allspice
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 8-oz. package cream cheese
2 Tbsp. milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1 clove garlic
3 tsp. lemon juice
1 - 3 oz. jar smoked oysters, chopped
1/3 cup pecans, chopped
1 Smithfield or country ham (10 to 15 pounds)
1 and 2/3 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 cup raisins
2/3 cup butter
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp. milk
1/4 cup orange juice
3 cups fresh cranberries, chopped
2/3 cup chopped walnuts
3 cups vanilla wafers, crushed
2/3 cup confectioner's sugar
1 cup nuts, chopped
2 Tbsp. light corn syrup
2 Tbsp. cocoa
1/2 cup bourbon
Extra confectioner's sugar


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