Christmas crafts

The Trials of Taste-Testing

By editor ⋅ December 17, 2006 ⋅ Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Well - I just finished making four bottles of Irish Cream (like Bailey’s), six blue cheese balls, and dozens and dozens of oreo truffles.  Now I’m beginning to think it’s all a conspiracy to make me gain weight before the Christmas gatherings even begin.

Admit it now, c’mon - if you’re anything like me then you can’t resist sampling what you make, if only because you need to reassure yourself that it tastes as good as you hope it will.  And then, it either does or it doesn’t, right?

If it does taste great, you are doomed - because now you’re into the “Mmm-mmn, good!” mode, where you have to sample just one more time, just to make sure, of course, that your gourmet concoction is as good as you think it is.  If it doesn’t taste great, then you’re in even more trouble - because now you have to adjust the ingredients, mix, blend…and, of course, taste test it again!

On the plus side of my cooking bonanza this evening, I got everything done in time for the first family “do” tomorrow.  Also on the plus side, I’m absolutely dead certain, will be my next weigh-in on the scales lurking somewhere behind the toilet (which is where I kicked them the last time that I came face to face with the results of my taste-testing).

Now don’t you think the family should all pitch in for a year-long membership to an exclusive spa, so I can reverse some of the damage done to me when I put my body on the line in the neverending quest for “Hey, tastes great, Mom,” or “Wow, homemade cheese balls!”

So, ok, I know a spa isn’t in my future.  A trial membership of WeightWatchers maybe, so I can get things under control in time for the next round of Christmas baking?

You’ll find the Irish Cream recipe in this article on Easy Does It Christmas Food (on the Creative Home site that I share with my daughter).

 And before you say it, yes, it occurs to me that maybe, just maybe, “Easy Does It” is a bit of a misnomer - at least if you’re into tasting your own wares, like me.  Just remember that one sample glass of Irish Cream can be called taste-testing.  Two glasses - well, why do think I’m writing this diatribe in the first place?

Warning:  Along with the Irish Cream recipe, you’ll find simple recipes for Clam Dip, Toffee Treats and Peanut Butter Bon Bons.  Taste test at your own risk!