Friday, December 20, 2013

Holiday Sugar Cookies


Spread some holiday cheer with these delicious iced sugar cookies. They'll be a hit at any holiday party. Keep reading for the recipe below.

Ingredients
 
Cookies:
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Icing:
One 12-ounce box confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons meringue powder
1/3 cup warm (80 to 90 degrees F) water
Food coloring, optional
Assorted sprinkles, colored sugar and small candy pieces

Directions
For the cookies: Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a stand mixer, cream the butter, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and mix until combined. Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients, one spoonful at a time, until thoroughly combined. Add the vanilla. Chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Roll out half of the dough at a time, keeping the remainder of the dough in the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness and cut into desired shapes with a cookie cutter. Place the cutout cookies 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet and put the cookie sheet in the refrigerator for a few minutes before baking. This will help the cookies to retain their shape. (You can roll out the scraps to make a few more cookies.) Bake until just before the edges of the cookies start to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool the cookies for 1 to 2 minutes on the cookie sheet before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

For the icing: In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, meringue powder, and warm water with a wire whisk. Stir until the icing is smooth. Adjust the consistency of the icing by adding more confectioners' sugar or more water, as needed. Add food coloring, if desired, to the icing. Spread the icing on the cooled cookies and then top with assorted sprinkles and candies.


Friday, December 13, 2013

Food Bank of Delaware Food Drive

Nucar Chevrolet is having a food drive starting next week, running through the end of this month! We are collecting all types of food to give to the Food Bank of Delaware. Help make someone's holiday season a little brighter. Check out the most needed items here: http://on.fb.me/1h4eFSi

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Tips To Drive In The Fog!


Driving in the fog can be a real pain. We have compiled a list of safety tips to help you get to your destination in the fog. Always remember to stay safe!

  • Slow down and do not drive faster than your vision.
  • Be cautious, fog can become thicker without warning and without being noticed until it is too late to react.
  • Increase following distance to ensure enough reaction time and stopping distance.
  • Turn on all your lights-including your hazard lights. Use low beam headlights and fog lights. Do not use high beams.
  • Turn on your 4-way flashers to give vehicles approaching from behind a better opportunity to see and notice your vehicle.
  • Use windshield wipers and defroster as necessary to maximize visibility.
  • Be ready for emergency stops by other vehicles.
  • If possible, drive in a “cushion of safety” where no other vehicles are around you.
  • Turn off your cruise control so you are in control of your vehicle.
  • Use the right edge of the road or roadside reflectors as a guide.
  • Listen for traffic you can’t see.
  •  Do not change lanes or pass other vehicles, unless absolutely necessary.
  • Remember that other drivers have limited sight distance and that fog makes the road wet.
  • Signal early, and when you use your brakes, don’t stomp on them.
  • Watch out for slow-moving and parked vehicles.
  • If you cannot see, pull completely off the road, preferably at a rest area or truck stop.
  •  If you pull off the road, turn on your hazard flashers immediately.