Jar Recipe - Apple Cider Spice Mix

2 c sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Combine and store in airtight jar.








On the tag or lable you can put:

Spiced Apple Cider Mix
8 oz dry red wine or apple cider
2 tsp Apple Cider Mix
1 cinnamon stick
1 twist of orange or lemon peel

Heat wine or cider until very hot, but not boiling. Stir mix into wine / cider until dissolved. Pour into serving mug and garnish with peel.

Jar Recipe - Amaretto Coffee Creamer

2/3 c Non Dairy Coffee Creamer Powder
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2/3 c powdered sugar

In a jar with a tight fitting lid, add all ingredients and shake to stir
well. Label as desired.

2 T of creamer per 6 oz of coffee.

Decorate as desired and use for gifts or for yourself!

Apple Pancakes with Cinnamon Nonfat Yogurt

1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons nonfat egg substitute
1 1/2 cups nonfat plain yogurt
1/2 t baking powder
3 tablespoons orange juice
3 tablespoons maple syrup
4 granny smith apples or other tart apples peeled/cored/sliced
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
mint leaves

Combine the flour, egg substitute, 1 cup yogurt, baking powder, orange juice, and 2 tablespoons maple syrup into a batter. If you like thinner pancakes, add 2 to 4 tablespoons of water at this point. Let rest for 1/2 hour.

Meanwhile, in a nonstick skillet, saute the sliced apples with 1 tablespoon water until the slices are tender and caramelized. Combine the remaining yogurt and maple syrup with the cinnamon.

Using a nonstick omelette pan, make thin crepes by pouring 3 tablespoons of the batter into the preheated pan and rolling it around to uniformly cover the surface of the pan. Cook over medium heat about 1 minute, flip with a spatula and cook the other side for about 10 seconds. Continue until all the batter has been used.

For each serving, roll each of two crepes around 2 tablespoons of the apples. Garnish with a dollop of flavored yogurt and a mint leaf. 278 calories, 1.2 grams fat per 3 (4-
to 5-inch) pancakes with filling.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie

Graham Cracker Crust:
1 cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/4 cup Butter or Margarine

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Filling:
8 ounces Canned Pumpkin or Pumpkin Puree
12 ounces packaged Cream Cheese
2 Eggs
2 Egg Yolks
3/4 cups Sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons Flour
3/4 teaspoons grated Lemon Peel
3/4 teaspoons grated Orange Peel
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Sour Cream Topping:
1 1/2 cups Sour Cream
2 tablespoons Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Melt butter. In a bowl, use a fork to mix together graham cracker crumbs and butter. Form graham cracker crust, using the back of a tablespoon to press the mixture into a 9 inch pie plate.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all filling ingredients into a mixing bowl. Mix at medium speed until well blended and smooth. Pour filling mixture into pie crust. Bake 35 - 40 minutes, or until pie is firm.

Sour Cream Topping- Combine ingredients (see above) and mix well.
Spread topping over pie. Bake an additional 10 minutes. Let pie cool. Then, refrigerate overnight.

Thanksgiving Turkey Tips

Is Thanksgiving at your house this year? Here are some tips to help you out so your guests are impressed!





Fresh or Frozen?

Before you buy the turkey, figure out your guest list. You should have
1 to 1½ pounds of turkey per person.

Your next decision will be selecting between a frozen or fresh turkey.

• A fresh bird is more expensive, but will save you time and precious
  refrigerator space. Buy the bird the day before you wish to roast it, but remember to reserve your turkey with the butcher. Most grocers don’t keep a
  large stock of fresh birds on hand.


• You will need to plan ahead if buying a frozen bird as well: it can be catastrophic to find that the only turkey available for your intimate four-person dinner is a 26-pound glacial beast.


• A frozen turkey needs to be defrosted. The preferred method is to defrost it in the refrigerator. (Yes, the one filled with the rest of the holiday fare.) Allow one day per 5 pounds. A 15-pound turkey will require three days to defrost
  thoroughly.


• An alternate method is to defrost the bird in a cold water bath. Allow 30 minutes per pound. That 15-pound turkey will require only 7½ hours to defrost using this approach. It is also possible to use a combination of these methods.

How to Roast Your Turkey

To prepare the turkey for roasting, first remove the giblets! Not only is it is concerting to find these paper-wrapped lumps when carving the bird, but you may also wish to use the giblets in your gravy or stuffing. Next, rinse the bird inside and out. Pat dry with paper towels.

If you are stuffing the bird, stuff it loosely, allowing about ½ to ¾ cup stuffing per pound of turkey.

Brush the skin with melted butter or oil. Tie drumsticks together with string (for stuffed birds only).

Lastly, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The thermometer should point towards the body, and should not touch the bone.

Place the bird on a rack in a roasting pan, and into a preheated 350 degree F (175 degrees C) oven. Use the following chart to estimate the time required for baking.
Bake until the skin is a light golden color, and then cover loosely with a foil tent.

During the last 45 minutes of baking, remove the foil tent to brown the skin. Basting is not necessary, but helps promote even browning.

Weight of Bird Roasting Time (Unstuffed) Roasting Time(Stuffed)
10-18 lbs 3-3.5 hours 3.75-4.5 hours
15-22 lbs 3.5-4 hours 4.5-5 hours
22-24 lbs 4-4.5 hours 5-5.5 hours
24-29 lbs 4.5-5 hours 5.5-6.25 hours