You won’t want to leave these on a plate for Santa.

These cranberry pistachio cookies, with their hint of orange and zesty glaze, are definitely an adult-palate cookie. And should not be wasted on Santa, who, let’s face it, is happy with a headless snowman sugar cookie with smeared frosting.

Instead, feature these prominently on your cookie platter, put them on top in your give-away tins and place them center stage at your holiday party. They’re delicious.

Although no more difficult to make than any other cookie, be watchful so as not to over bake.

These should be soft, not crunchy.

They’ll disappear faster than a New Year’s Resolution. Which reminds me, watch for healthy recipes in January!

Cranberry pistachio cookies
Ingredients:
1 C. butter, softened
1 C. white sugar
1/2 C. brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. grated orange zest
2 Tbsp. orange juice
2 1/2 C. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 C. dried cranberries or dried cherries
1/2 C. chopped pistachios
Icing drizzle:
Mix:
1/2 tsp. grated orange zest
2 Tbsp. orange juice
1 1/2 C. powdered sugar

Directions:
Cream butter and sugars. Add egg. Mix in orange zest and orange juice. Combine remaining dry ingredients and add to orange mixture. Mix in cranberries and nuts. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 375 degrees. Once cooled, drizzle with icing.

Posted by · December 21, 2007 1:59 AM · Comments (1)

Next up in our holiday appetizers and party snacks extravaganza is Kris Kringle Krunch.

This quick and easy snack mix beats out icky Chex cereal mix anyday, although ironically it actually contains Corn Chex cereal.

The mixture of nuts and syrup topping makes for a delicious salty-sweet party snack. This could also be placed in decorative jars or cute tins and taken to parties as a hostess gift. Or you could just sit and eat it while watching Christmas movies. Either.

Kris Kringle Krunch mix
Ingredients:
½ box Golden Grahams cereal
½ box Corn Chex cereal
1 C. cashews
1C. peanuts
1 C. almonds
¾ C. butter
1 C. Karo syrup
1 C. sugar

Directions:
Mix cereal and nuts in a large bowl; set aside. Combine and boil: butter, Karo syrup and sugar; pour over cereal mixture and coat well. Spread on wax paper to cool; store in air-tight containers.

Posted by · December 15, 2007 2:43 AM · Comments (0)

‘Tis the season, so the next three installments of One Teaspoon from Disaster will be dedicated to delicious holiday appetizers and party snacks.

First up: Chutney Baked Brie.

I’ve never had something so easy get such rave reviews. Not only does this take just minutes to prepare, cleanup is quick, too.

A few things to keep in mind:
▪ These tastes best warm—when it comes out of the oven, serve it immediately.
▪ Baguette is the way to go; don’t even think about serving this with crackers.
▪ Finally, every time I’ve made this (which is twice), cheese has pour out of the rind. Be sure your baking tray can also double as your serving tray, and is big enough to handle the baking-induced eruption, which you can cover with sliced baguette (not crackers) and let the masses attack it. They will!

Chutney Baked Brie
Ingredients:
1 medium to large wheel of Brie cheese
ground curry
1, 10-ounce jar chutney or mango preserves
chopped cashews
baguette, crackers, etc.

Directions:
Place Brie wheel in baking dish. Rub curry powder into the top and sides of the cheese rind. Top with jar of chutney/preserves, allowing some to seep over the sides. Add desired amount of cashew pieces on top. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes.

Posted by · December 5, 2007 2:42 AM · Comments (0)