Trader Joe's Holiday Snacks!

It's not too late. You still have plenty of time to over-indulge in tasty holiday treats made just for you by your good friend, Trader Joe. My top three seasonal favorites: candy cane Joe Joes, eggnog, and cocktail hotdogs.

Peppermint Joe Joe's

I never really paid attention to them until last year, when our friend bought a box and shared them with us. Much like Oreos, these chocolate sandwich cookies are filled with cream, and with tiny bits of peppermint candy. Now maybe they don't sound like much, but with the addition of TJ's secret addictive ingredient that they tend to slip into so many of their products, you're going to get hooked. Don't resist. And I don't know if I'm just imagining things, but I think they taste even better than they did last year. There are other flavors of Joe Joe's, but these are only available during the holidays, so stock up before it's too late.

Eggnog

I'm picky about my eggnog, but if you're going to get store bought nog, I highly approve of the TJ's variety. It's thick and creamy, and though the calorie count is still high, I've seen worse. Much worse. A little fresh grated nutmeg on top before serving and you'll be all set. Small portions are recommended.

Cocktail “Pups”

If you've made it this far into the season without cocktail weenies in your menu, then you're wrong. Correct yourself. It's not too late—you have until January 1^st to eat as many as possible and without enduring the judgment of your peers. It's an unwritten holiday rule that also applies to Hickory Farms products and any shelf stable cheese. Enjoy.

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur

First of all, when in the f*#% did December happen? Didn’t there used to be a few extra weeks in between Thanksgiving and December? Second, that means it’s time for holiday type stuff, specifically, booze-related holiday stuff. This recipe for homemade cranberry liqueur makes a nifty addition to your seasonal cocktails, as well as a unique gift for your drink-loving friends and family. It’s simple to make and keeps up to a year or more. I just found some left over from last year that I had stored in a mason jar in the pantry; after filtering it again (it had a little sediment after resting for so long) it retained its flavor nicely.


Cranberry Liqueur

2 cups white sugar
1 cup water, preferably filtered
3 cups fresh cranberries
3 cups vodka* (I used Kirkland brand, from Costco)

(optional)
1 tsp cardamom pods, cracked
1 tsp coarsely chopped ginger

Tools: mason jar, strainer, cheesecloth, blender/food processor

In a sauce pan, make a simple syrup with the sugar and water. Set aside. Place the cranberries in a blender with ¼ to ½ cup of vodka and process until the cranberries are chopped. Add the cranberry mixture to the simple syrup in its final stages of cooling. Make sure the syrup is not hot, just still lightly warm. When the mixture has completely cooled, add the rest of the vodka and transfer the mixture to a sterile mason jar. Store in a cool, dark place for about 10 days, shaking every few days. Add the ginger and cardamom, and allow to infuse for another 5-7 days. Strain out the solids through a mesh strainer, then strain again through a layer of cheese cloth. If you’re giving the liqueur as a gift, I recommend filtering a third time though a coffee filter. Store the cranberry liqueur in a cool dark place, or in the refrigerator.

*Vodka selection can be more important than you think—you don’t want to shell out money on a top shelf vodka, but don’t use a super cheap-o brand either (for example, Smirnoff is extremely abrasive). I recommend Costco’s Kirkland brand vodka or Russian Standard.