Gumdrop Fudge

I attended a class last week that featured recipes for Christmas gifts that are simple and delicious. This recipe really fits the bill. It is simple enough to have kids make it, and it tastes great!

Gumdrop Fudge

1 1/2 cups chopped gumdrops

1 1/2 lbs white chocolate candy coating

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

1/8 tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla extract

Grease an 8 or 9" square pan with butter and set aside.

Using kitchen shears, chop gumdrops into small pieces. I like to use the shears and cut each one into quarters. Set aside.

In a heavy saucepan, combine candy coating, condensed milk, and salt. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently, until candy coating has melted and mixture is smooth. Do not turn up the heat--it burns easily!

Stir vanilla into fudge. Add gumdrops gradually while stirring to ensure that they don't end up in one big clump.

Pour fudge into prepared buttered pan. Let stand at room temperature until firm, about three hours.

Ham and Potato Chowder

It feels like winter has officially arrived here in Utah, so it's time for hearty soups. This chowder is pretty versatile--feel free to toss in whatever leftover vegetables you have around. The instructions below are for the most tasty version, but if you're in a hurry you can just throw all the vegetables and ham in together and it will still turn out.

Ham and Potato Chowder

4-5 potatoes, peeled and cubed

3 carrots, peeled and diced

3 (14.5 oz) cans chicken broth

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 small yellow onion, chopped

2 cups diced ham

1 (15 oz) can corn kernels

5 Tbsp butter

5 Tbsp flour

2 cups milk

Garnish (grated cheese, sliced onions, crumbled bacon, etc.)

Combine potatoes, carrots, and chicken broth in a large pot. Cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

While vegetables are cooking, put a small amount of olive oil in a frying pan and cook ham until it starts to brown on the sides. Remove ham and cook onions and garlic until onions are translucent and starting to brown.

Add ham, onions, garlic, and corn to soup pot.

In a small saucepan, melt better. Add flour and stir with a fork until no lumps are present and it starts to thicken, about one minute. Slowly stir in milk. Use a whisk to stir constantly until mixture thickens, about five minutes.

Once thickened, add milk mixture to soup pot. Salt and peper to taste. Top with garnish.

Serves 8.