Gingerbread Coffee Mix

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• hot brewed coffee
• half-and-half cream (to taste)
• ground cloves (garnish)
• sweetened whipped cream (topping)

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix together the molasses, brown sugar, baking soda, ginger and cinnamon until well blended. Cover and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes.
2. Add about a 1/4 cup of coffee to each cup, then stir in about a tablespoon of the spice mixture until dissolved. Fill cup to within an inch of the top with coffee. Stir in half and half to taste, then garnish with whipped cream and a light dusting of cloves.

Pumpkin Spice

A staple spice of many fall favorites, this fragrant blend is incredibly easy (and economical) to make at home.

To start, you’ll need all of three minutes and the following ingredients: 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg, 1 ½ teaspoons ground allspice and 1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves. Mix the spices together in a small bowl and take a little whiff. (Smells like heaven, right?) Store the mixture in a clean small jar or spice container. See? So easy.

Cranberry Walnut Bread

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
• 3 cups white sugar
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons orange zest
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 1/4 cups orange juice
• 3 cups whole cranberries
• 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease three 8x4-inch loaf pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper, if desired.
2. Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the room-temperature eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Stir in the orange zest.
3. Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Add to the egg mixture, alternating with orange juice.
4. Coarsely chop the cranberries.
5. Pour the flour mixture into the mixing bowl alternately with the orange juice, mixing until just incorporated. Fold in the chopped cranberries and walnuts, mixing just enough to evenly combine. Divide the batter evenly among prepared pans.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Check for browning: cover the tops with aluminum foil to prevent them from becoming too dark. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaves comes out clean, about 30 minutes more. Cool on wire racks.

Greek Lemon Chicken and Potato Bake

Ingredients

• 4 chicken leg quarters
• 1 (24 ounce) bag small potatoes
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 lemons, juiced, divided
• 2 tablespoons dried basil
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons lemon and herb seasoning
• 1 (12 ounce) package fresh green beans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a large baking sheet with sides.
2. Place chicken quarters on prepared baking sheet. Stir potatoes, olive oil, juice of 1 lemon, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon herb seasoning together in a large bowl to coat potatoes. Arrange potatoes around chicken on baking sheet. Pour about 3/4 of oil mixture over chicken, reserving remaining oil; drizzle remaining lemon juice over chicken and potatoes.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes; shake baking sheet to loosen potatoes, then continue baking for 15 minutes. Place green beans in reserved oil mixture; toss to coat. Remove chicken mixture from oven; pour green bean mixture over chicken and potatoes.
4. Return pan to the oven; bake until green beans are tender with a bite, chicken is no longer pink at the bone and juices run clear, about 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F.

Spanish Potato Omelet

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 pound potatoes, thinly sliced
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 4 eggs
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tomatoes - peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped
• 2 green onions, chopped

Directions

1. In a large frying pan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sprinkle potatoes lightly with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown and crisp.
2. Once the potatoes are golden, stir in the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions soften and begin to brown.
3. Meanwhile, beat eggs together with salt and pepper. Pour eggs into pan and stir gently to combine. Reduce heat to low and cook until eggs begin to brown on the bottom.
4. Loosen bottom of omelet with a spatula, invert a large plate over the pan, and carefully turn the omelet out onto it. Slide the omelet back into the pan with the uncooked side down. Cook until eggs are set. Garnish omelet with tomato and green onion and serve warm.

Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups crushed gingersnap cookies
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup white sugar, divided
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, mix together the crushed gingersnap cookies, pecans, and butter. Press into the bottom, and about 1 inch up the sides of a 9 inch springform pan. Bake crust 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Set aside to cool.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, and vanilla just until smooth. Mix in eggs one at a time, blending well after each. Set aside 1 cup of the mixture. Blend 1/4 cup sugar, pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg into the remaining mixture.
3. Spread the pumpkin flavored batter into the crust, and drop the plain batter by spoonfuls onto the top. Swirl with a knife to create a marbled effect.
4. Bake 55 minutes in the preheated oven, or until filling is set. Run a knife around the edge of the pan. Allow to cool before removing pan rim. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.