Instructions

1. In a 4-quart Dutch oven cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Set aside.
2. In same Dutch oven cook sausage until lightly browned. Add apples; cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are lightly golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in cooked pasta, whipped cream, and cheese. Heat through. Garnish with basil. Makes 4 servings.

Instructions

1. For Avocado Dipping sauce, cut about 3 inches from cucumber and coarsely chop (reserve remaining for Cucumber salad, recipe below). Place in food processor or blender with other sauce ingredients. Puree until smooth. Pour into a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
2. In small bowl mix rub ingredients; set aside. Cut steak into foot-long pieces, if needed, to make them easier to handle on the grill. Lightly brush steaks on all sides with olive oil; season evenly with rub. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
3. Prepare grill for direct cooking over high heat (about 500 degrees F). (See “direct grilling,” below). Grill steaks over direct high heat, with lid closed as much as possible, 4 to 6 minutes for medium-rare, turning once or twice. Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice across the grain in 1/2-inch-thick slices. Serve warm with Avocado Dipping Sauce. Makes 6 servings.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat first 3 ingredients at medium-low speed with an electric mixer until combined. Increase speed to medium, and beat until well blended and crumbly. Pat mixture into a lightly greased 13-x-9-inch pan. Bake 13-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
2. Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.  Gradually add granulated sugar, beating until well blended.  Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating at low speed just until blended.  Pour over baked crust.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until set.  Cool completely on a wire rack (about 1 hour).  Cover and chill 4-24 hours; cut into bars.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Liberally drizzle EVOO over broccoli, salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
3. Transfer to oven and roast for 15-20 minutes, until broccoli is nice and crispy on the ends and a little brown.

Instructions

1. Combine eggs, vanilla and raisins in a bowl and let soak for an hour in the refrigerator.  Preheat oven to 350°. While oven is preheating, toast the broken pecans on a cookie sheet for 5-6 minutes.  Do not leave in oven for too long or they will burn.
2. Beat shortening and both sugars together in a large mixing bowl with electric mixer.
3. In another bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon.  Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture, stirring just until flour mixture is incorporated.  Mixture will be kind of dry.   Stir in the egg/vanilla/raisin mixture.  Stir in the oats and nuts.
4. When ingredients are well mixed, spoon dough into 1 1/2 “ balls and place 2” apart on greased cookie sheet.
5. Bake  for 12-14 minutes.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Heat water for pasta in large pot, salt it and add pasta for 3 minutes.
2. While water boils, heat a large skillet with extra-virgin olive oil, 3 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add pancetta and brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes.
3. Drain pasta, add to pan and toss. Stir in Parmigiano-Reggiano and season with salt and pepper. Beat eggs with cream and pour over top of pasta. Let eggs begin to set up, about 1 minute, and pat pasta into even layer to make the pizza pie crust. Place in oven and cook 5 to 6 minutes.
4. Mix together the ricotta and parsley. Remove pie from oven and smooth the ricotta over the top. Scatter with the provolone or mozzarella and return to oven. Bake 8 minutes more until cheese is melted and golden at edges. Cut into wedges and serve.

Makes about 8 servings

Instructions

1. In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, saute onion, ground beef, garlic, and chili powder until ground beef is slightly cooked.  Add seasonings, cocoa, water, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and cider vinegar.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 1-1/2 hours.  Remove from heat.
2. Cook spaghetti according to package directions and transfer onto individual serving plates.  Ladle chili over spaghetti and serve with toppings of your choice.  Oyster crackers are served in a separate container on the side.

Instructions

1. Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high; return to a low boil.
2. Place biscuits on a lightly floured surface.  Roll or pat each biscuit to 1/8-inch thickness; cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips.
3. Drop strips, 1 at a time, into boiling broth mixture.  Add carrots and celery.  Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent dumplings from sticking.

Makes 4-6 servings.

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix cream cheese, sugar and spice in medium bowl until blended.  Stir in half the apples.
3. Spread into pie plate or small casserole dish.  Top with remaining apples, cheese, and nuts.
4. Make 10-12 minutes, or until heated through.  Serve with crackers.

Instructions

1. Use even amounts of all the ingredients listed above or mix and match as you like. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together. You can make this mix as a family and eat while discussing each ingredient and how it relates to Christmas.
2. If this is for a gift, make a special card with these descriptions (or print out the bag tag)

Each ingredient in this snack mix symbolizes something associated with the Christmas Season

1. Bugles Corn Snacks – Shaped like a trumpet to remind us of the angels we have heard on high.
2. Pretzels – Arms folded in prayer, a freedom sought by those who founded our country.
3. Red Hots – To symbolize the holly berries decorating our mantel tops.
4. Peanuts – Plant the seeds for peace on Earth.
5. M&Ms – Memories of those who came before us to lead us into a blessed future.
6. Hershey’s Kisses – The love of family and friends that sweetens our lives.