Things To Do

Nothing says love like homemade shortbread over the holidays. And because shortbread is best after it has aged a bit - make it towards the beginning of the month to bring as a hostess gift in a few weeks when you are invited to all of those fabulous parties.

Traditional Brown Sugar Shortbread
1 cup real butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp real vanilla
1 pinch of salt

Cream butter, vanilla and sugar together, then sift in and work in flour and salt. Roll into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap and chill for an hour or so.
Roll out about 1/4" thick on =ery lightly floured board. Cut into small bite sized shapes. Prick top with fork in a decoratie pattern.
Bake in preheated 325 oven until light brown (apriximately 20 minutes).
Let set for a moment on the cookie sheet to solidify dough before removing to a wire cooling rack. After the cookies have cooled wrap them in plastic to let them age for a few weeks before serving them. (That is, if they last that long without being eaten...)

When serving nuts at a holiday party this season, don't just buy the typical mixed salted nuts off the shelf. Make your own special custom mix of nuts. You know that everyone likes the 'good nuts' so make your mix the best of your favorites. I make my mix with the following: 1 part roasted salted almonds, 1 part roasted salted cashews and ½ part roasted salted peanuts (so there are more almonds and cashew than peanuts).

You never know when a friend or 2 might drop by unexpected for a cocktail, so make sure you have something to snack on while you imbibe. Have some "Cocktail Munchy Mix" ready!

There is no right or wrong combination, but for me a good cocktail mix must have all three of the following essences: salty, spicy and crunchy. These things help to offset the sweetness or tartness of your concoction and enhance your drinking experience oh so well… Oh, and there should be a minimum of 4-5 different elements in the mix. Keep it complex and interesting and everyone will end up with a favorite mix element to hoard!

Here are some of the things you can consider putting in it:
Garlic Croutons, Popcorn, Wasabi Peas, Mini Melba Toasts, Bagel Chips (broken small), Mini Preztel Sticks and Loops, Bran Cereal Squares, Smoked Almonds, Anything else that grabs you and says "Cocktails Anyone?"
Do try to stick to things that are not too overly processed, i.e. stay away from artificially flavored and colored items.

The amount you use of each item depends on the ingredients you decide upon. Mix them all up in a big bowl. If you think the flavor needs a little enhancing, experiment with one of these seasonings: garlic salt or powder, onion powder, basil powder.

When you are done combining your ingredients, store the mix in large airtight Tupperware style container to help keep it fresh.

Serve in your swellest decorative bowl - preferably a medium to small sized container. The smaller the bowl - the more special the mix will seem to your guests.

This recipe comes from my friend Kim from New York City.

Sausage lasts a long time... so always keep a log o'sausage in your fridge for emergency friend snacking. 'Cause I'm vegetarian, I use veggie sausage that I buy at my local health food store. If you don't have a store in your neck of the woods, you can still order veggie products online. There's a list of resources here.

Cut the sausage into ¼ to ½ sized round slices.
Heat up some 7 Up in a non-stick saucepan – just enough to coat the bottom – you are sautéing your sausage slices not boiling them!
Melt a little butter in their for an extra rich treat!
Fry your slices up until they are brown and ready to serve.
Then serve with a colored toothpick.
Serve plain or with honey mustard.
Yum!

The Mythological Food of the Gods

Make it yourself - or better yet - have it served from the Master of Ceremonies Mr. Phoenix at one of his Variety Show events!!!
http://www.godblessamericana.com

In a large vintage serving bowl:
4 large cans of fruit cocktail drained overnight in the refrigerator
Fold in:
1 large tub of Cool Whip
1 bag of coconut
1 bag of miniature marshmellows
5 drops of red food color to make it pink
Decorate it halved maraschino cherries
Serve it chilled and generously!