Shrimp-Filled Cream Puffs

If you are imagining sweet, custard filled cream puffs, you're going to have to look somewhere else. These Shrimp-Filled Cream Puffs fit in the appetizer category and are most definitely not a sweet dessert.

Shrimp-Filled Cream Puffs are a family favorite, especially at this time of year. The recipe comes from my late grandmother, who faithfully made the delectable hors d'ourves every Christmas, and I am continuing the tradition with my own family.

Cream Puffs

1/2 Cup Water
2 Tablespoons Oil
1/2 Cup Flour
2 Eggs

Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium pan, bring water and oil to boil. Lower heat and add flour all at once, beating by hand until mixture forms a ball.

Remove from heat and add eggs, one at a time. Beat with a hand mixer until dough has a satin sheen.

Drop by teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 30 minutes. Increase heat to 425 degrees and bake 5-10 minutes longer.

When cool, hollow cream puffs for filling. Cut each puff in half and take out the gooey dough in the middle as shown below...

Cream Shrimp Filling

1 (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, Softened
1/2 Cup Miracle Whip (* DO NOT USE MAYONNAISE!)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 Tablespoon Finely Grated Onion (juice)
1 Tablespoon Reserved Shrimp Juice 
1 (4 1/2 oz. can) Broken or Tiny Shrimp

Drain liquid from shrimp, reserving 1 Tablespoon.

Mix first 5 ingredients until smooth. Stir in broken shrimp...

Fill individual cream puffs and refrigerate.

* Mayonnaise will not taste right in this recipe! You can use another brand of salad dressing if you do not have Miracle Whip on hand, but the latter will definitely taste better.

**One batch of Cream Shrimp Filling will yield enough for a double batch of cream puffs.

If You're ______ and You Know It

This is the best commercial I've seen in a long time and definitely blog worthy. Oh, how I can relate!



"If you're human, eat your feelings. Eat a snack."  :)

Embellished Old Fashioned Candy Cane Gift Idea

While feasting my eyes on the many, many things for sale in the country store at Cracker Barrel, I spotted some gorgeous old fashioned candy canes and knew I had to buy some. I chose this Gingerbread flavored one to embellish and give a co-worker. 

The candy canes come from Hammond's Candy. The embellishments- from my scrapbook stash.   :)

...and if you visit the Hammond's Candies link, you will see that they have a large array of unique flavors to choose from-- Apple Pie, Clove, Pomegranate and Chocolate Filled Cherry, to name a few.

So, there you have it...a nice little gift idea. 

Merry Christmas!

Broccoli Cheese Soup

1 can chicken broth
2 cups water
2 or 3 bouillon cubes
2 stalks broccoli (approx. 1 lb.)
3 carrots
1 small onion

Cut broccoli, carrots and onions into small pieces. Cook until tender in the chicken broth, water and bouillon cubes. 

Strain broth from vegetables into a large bowl. Add water, if needed to make 3 cups broth.


White Sauce-

6 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 cup flour
1 cup milk
3 cups broth (from vegetables above)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Melt butter or margarine. Add flour and whisk in broth, stirring constantly. Mixture will thicken quickly. Whisk in milk until desired consistency. Stir in shredded cheese until melted. Add cooked vegetables and serve.