Wow! Where did the month of December go? Here it is New Year’s Eve, many celebrations and parties are behind us… with big plans for the new year! It seems perfect timing to begin a new calendar year in the middle of a dark cold winter. Before we begin our new plans for the New Year we have a few more gatherings and celebrations. This recipe is one of my favorites, it can be made ahead of time and warmed in the microwave just before serving. It is perfect to take as an appetizer for any gathering, it stores well as a left over and can be easily reheated. Enjoy!

Hot Clam Dip

8 oz. cream cheese
2 tbsp. mayonnaise
1 small can chopped clams
1/4 lb. sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Blend until creamy with electric mixer. Fold in drained clams and salt. Spread into a baking dish and top with cheese. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Serve with an assortment of crackers.

This week I had the great privilege of going to Boise to participate in a fundraiser for the St. Alphonsus Hospital. While I was there I met some wonderful women. So many volunteers… so much work… so many hours of preparation. It was a huge success. Thanks to my new friend and buyer for the hospital gift shop, Marsha Houston. They have sold hundreds of The Gathering of Friends cookbooks. I went for a book signing and while I was there I met a volunteer, Connie Barrett. She shared with me a wonderful little recipe that I just couldn’t resist. It was out of this world!

Cranberry Salsa

1 16 oz. can whole berry cranberry sauce
1 1/4 c. canned, chopped jalapenos
1 green onion, chopped
1 tsp. dried cilantro
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. lime juice

Combine all ingredients. Chill. Serve with plain tortilla chips. This unique combination is a delicious condiment for poultry or pork. Makes 2 cups. Yields 6 cups. Thanks Connie Barrett!
Connie also suggested making this tasty little treat all tied up with a bow as a wonderful gift for a neighbor or teacher.

Using fresh ingredients is always my first choice. So this is my version of her wonderful recipe. Beginning by making my own fresh cranberry sauce…………it is so simple you will never use a can of cranberry sauce again.

It is more colorful and crunchy………….So here is how I made it!

Cranberry Salsa

1  12 oz. bag fresh whole cranberries
2 c. water
1 c. sugar
1/4 fresh jalapeno, finely minced
2  4 oz. cans green chilies, chopped
2 green onions, minced
1/2 c. fresh cilantro, minced
2 limes, juice
2 tsp. cumin

Combine fresh cranberries, 1 c. water and sugar in a pot over high heat and boil for 10 minutes. Let cool. Mince cilantro, jalapeno and green onions and stir into cooled cranberry sauce. Add chopped green chilies, lime juice and cumin and stir well. If desired stir in additional 1/2 c.-1 c. water to change consistency. Yields about 6 cups. Fill your favorite container and give this wonderful surprise burst of flavor as a gift.

As an appetizer using 8 oz. of cream cheese pour 1 ½ cups of Cranberry Salsa over cream cheese and serve with your favorite crackers or chips.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

3 whole chicken breasts
9 pieces of sliced ham
16 oz. Swiss cheese
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 ½ c. hot water
3 tsp. granulated chicken bouillon
½ c. white cooking wine
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
½ c. butter
3 c. seasoned bread crumbs
toothpicks

Preheat oven to 350°. Slice each chicken breast in half, cutting diagonally divide each half into three very thin pieces. Between two sheets of wax paper, tenderize the pieces on both sides using a meat mallet. Cut the Swiss cheese into ½ x 2 inch cubes. Lay the chicken flat, place a slice of ham on the chicken and a piece of cheese. Roll up chicken with ham and cheese, pierce with a toothpick through the middle to hold its shape.  Place each chicken roll side by side in a 9 x 13 inch pan. If there is excess cheese, cut into cubes and sprinkle all over the pan between the rolls of chicken. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the chicken. In blender combine cream cheese, water, bouillon and cooking wine and purée. Pour the sauce over the chicken rolls. Toss the breadcrumbs in the melted butter, spread over chicken and sauce. Cover with foil and bake for 45 to 50 minutes.

Serve with steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.

Cover with tin foil. Bake for 45-55 minutes.

This savory dish is elegant enough to serve for any Holiday gathering. It is easy to prepare a head of time. Just wait to pour the sauce over the rolled chicken servings until it is ready to place in the oven. It is a crowd pleaser for sure………..and will soon become a family favorite.

Pomegranate Pear Salad

3 med. heads hearts of Romaine lettuce
2 pears
1 pomegranate
3/4 c. crumbled bleu cheese

Clean and tear hearts of romaine lettuce into bite size pieces. Cut pears into slices as pictured. Remove pomegranate seeds, sprinkle over salad. Top with crumbled bleu cheese. Finish with Pomegranate Salad Dressing.

Salad Dressing

1 ½ c. oil
¾ c. Pomegranate vinegar
1 ¼ c. sugar
½ c. water
½ tsp. coarse black pepper
½ tsp. kosher salt
2 tbsp. dried chives
2 tsp. Dijon mustard

Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix well. Chill. Pour over salad just before serving.

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Garden Brunch

Inviting new neighbors for a casual morning meal is a nice way to become better acquainted. Welcome them to your table with this brunch… created around fresh tomatoes from the garden, combined with fresh fruit, breakfast potatoes, egg and cheese casserole, and fried tomato sandwiches. It can all be enjoyed in the late morning hours before the busy activities of life get in the way. Open your home; open your heart… and make new friends along the way.

Recipes

• John Wayne Casserole
• Breakfast Potatoes
• Summer Fruit Salad
• Fried Tomato Sandwiches

Decorations

• Hydrangea Decoration

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No Bake Baby Shower

Here’s a party that anyone can host- no baking is required! Some planning is necessary, a pinch of creative thinking, and a few trips to your favorite stores… but everything can be purchased right down to the bacon bits and sprinkled cupcakes. If you are inclined, here are a few recipes to satisfy your creative urges. They are quick and easy to prepare leaving you plenty of time for associating with guests and enjoying the moment.

Recipes

• Cobb Salad
• Chile Cheesecake
• Red Pepper Hummus
• Black Cupcakes
• Cream Cakes
• Lemon Pound Cupcakes
• Carrot Cupcakes

Tablescapes

• Candy and Soda
• Diaper Cake
• Strawberry Topiary Tree

Patterns

• Pattern for making Nacho Cup Trays

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Colorful photos, simple and classic recipes with helpful shopping lists, easy and beautiful tablescapes suggest creative ideas for your own Gathering of Friends.

Tablescapes

• Decorative Water Jars
• Artichoke and Candle Clay Pot