Spider Cupcakes

"These are a huge hit with kids!"

PREP TIME	1 Hr
COOK TIME	30 Min
READY IN	1 Hr 30 Min

SERVINGS & SCALING

Original recipe yield: 24 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
• 1 pound black shoestring licorice
• 1 (16 ounce) can white frosting
• 48 pieces candy corn
• 48 cinnamon red hot candies
• 1/4 cup orange decorator sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare cupcakes according to package directions. Let cool completely.
2. Cut licorice into 3 inch sections. Working with one or two cupcakes at a time, so the frosting doesn't set before decorating, frost the cupcakes with the white frosting. Insert licorice pieces into the outer edges of the cupcakes to make the legs of the spider, 3 legs on each side (4 takes up too much space). Place two pieces of candy corn on the front of the cupcake for fangs and use two red hots as eyes. Sprinkle with decorator sugar. Repeat with remaining cupcakes

Chickpea Curry

"We usually recommend preparing the beans at home, but using canned chickpeas allows for a fast, convenient dish."

PREP TIME	10 Min
COOK TIME	30 Min
READY IN	40 Min

SERVINGS & SCALING

Original recipe yield: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 onions, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger root, finely chopped
• 6 whole cloves
• 2 (2 inch) sticks cinnamon, crushed
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• salt
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 2 (15 ounce) cans garbanzo beans
• 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, and fry onions until tender.
2. Stir in garlic, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, salt, cayenne, and turmeric. Cook for 1 minute over medium heat, stirring constantly. Mix in garbanzo beans and their liquid. Continue to cook and stir until all ingredients are well blended and heated through. Remove from heat. Stir in cilantro just before serving, reserving 1 tablespoon for garnish.

Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookies

SUBMITTED BY: Joan

"A great combination of chocolate chips, oatmeal, and peanut butter."

PREP TIME	15 Min
COOK TIME	10 Min
READY IN	25 Min

SERVINGS & SCALING

Original recipe yield: 3 dozen

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla and egg until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter just until moistened. Mix in the oats and chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Drop by tablespoonfuls on to lightly greased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges start to brown. Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Thin Mint Crackers

SUBMITTED BY: Kim
"Just like the Girl Scout cookies!"
SERVINGS & SCALING Original recipe yield: 80 cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound bittersweet chocolate
• 80 buttery round crackers
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Using a double boiler method, melt the chocolate coatings over hot tap water for 15 - 20 minutes. Stir . Do not cook or get water into the chocolate.
2. After it is melted, stir in a couple drops of peppermint flavor into the chocolate.
3. Dip crackers into the melted chocolate and then place onto a cold cookie sheet and put into the refrigerator to set. (A freezing tray to rest the dipped cookies will keep the bottoms neat looking.)
4. In a few minutes take them out and package in candy cups. The cookies are best kept at room temperature or a cool dry place away from any odors.

Nectarine Salsa

Stelly
"A refreshingly sweet and tangy blend. Especially good when cooked on the grill and served with a mild fish such as tilapia. If you are grilling fish, the salsa can be cooked on the grill at the same time and served over the fillets."

Original recipe yield:
2 servings

PREP TIME	10 Min
COOK TIME	10 Min
READY IN	25 Min

INGREDIENTS

• 2 nectarines, pitted and chopped
• 1/4 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In a bowl, mix the nectarines, onion, vinegar, sugar, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Allow to sit 5 minutes.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook and stir the nectarine mixture 10 minutes, until onion and nectarines are tender and lightly browned.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Servings Per Recipe: 2

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 101

• Total Fat: 0.7g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 479mg
• Total Carbs: 24.3g
• Dietary Fiber: 2.6g
• Protein: 1.6g

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons instant coffee powder
• 2 teaspoons boiling water
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Melt over hot (not boiling) water 1/2 cup of the chocolate morsels. Stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
3. In small cup, dissolve the instant coffee in the 2 teaspoons boiling water. Set aside.
4. In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
5. In large bowl, combine butter, sugars, and coffee. Beat until creamy. Add egg and melted morsels. Mix well. Gradually add flour mixture. Stir in remaining 1-1/2 cups chocolate morsels and walnuts. Form into walnut-sized balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10-12 minutes. Allow to stand 2-3 minutes before removing from cookie sheets.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Servings Per Recipe: 24

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 225

• Total Fat: 11.5g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 132mg
• Total Carbs: 28.3g
• Dietary Fiber: 0.7g
• Protein: 2.5g

Mocha Walnut Cookies

SUBMITTED BY: Carmela Sagendorf
"A mocha version of the classic chocolate chip cookie. Originally submitted to ThanksgivingRecipe.com. "
Original recipe yield:
24 - 3 inch cookies