1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 Egg yolk
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup flour
1/2 cup natural raisins
1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in yolk, almond extract and salt.
Mix in flour just to blend thoroughly.
Mix in raisins almonds to distribute evenly.
On lightly floured surface, roll into a 12″ long.
Wrap securely and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 1 week.
With sharp knife, cut 1/3″ thick slices, and place 1″ apart on baking sheets.
Bake in pre-heated 350 degree F oven 15 to 20 minutes until cookies are set and bottoms are lightly browned. Remove to racks to cool completely.
Decorate as desired with melted semi-sweet or white chocolate, and top with colored sprinkles, raisins, nuts, or candied fruit pieces.
Allow to set before storing in layers between sheets of waxed paper in airtight container.

Today, I have a great Autumn Salad recipe that I found in a new Thanksgiving cookbook that I picked up called “Thanksgiving Cooking Made Easy” I love how this cookbook has all the classic Thanksgiving recipes along with some new creative holiday dishes as well.

The cookbook also came with 5 additional cookbooks that feature Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes, Appetizers, Desserts, Cranberry Recipes and more. I recommend grabbing this cookbook before this amazing deal is gone.

You can check out the cookbook here.

Autumn Tossed Salad

1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp finely chopped onion
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 Tbs poppy seeds
1 bunch romaine, torn
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
1 cup unsalted cashews
1 medium apple, chopped
1 medium pear, chopped
1/4 cup dried cranberries

Dressing:
In a blender, combine the lemon juice, sugar, onion, mustard, and salt.
While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream.
Stir in poppy seeds.
Transfer to a small pitcher or bowl.
Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled.

Salad:
In a large salad bowl, combine the romaine, cheese, cashews, apple, pear, and cranberries.
Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat.

Servings: 12

Get this recipe and MANY more great holiday recipes at www.cookbookholiday.com.

1/2 gallon Apple Cider
750mL Bacardi Gold Rum
2 liters Ginger Ale
ice

In a large punch bowl, combine the cider, rum and ginger ale. Stir together and then add ice.
Serve and drive responsibly.

Please take a moment to comment on this post and share some your favorite barbecue recipes!

I hope everyone has a fun, safe and happy July 4th!

Check out this great BBQ sauce recipe using Bacardi Rum!
http://www.foodbuzz.com/recipes/1214940-bacardi-bbq-sauce

Roasted Garlic, Poblano, and Red Pepper Guacamole (an exciting twist on the standard guacamole)
http://huggingthecoast.com/2010/04/14/roasted-garlic-poblano-and-red-pepper-guacamole-recipe-party-appetizer-recipes/

Red White & Blue Cookie Bars
http://cheftomcooks.com/forum/holiday-recipes-f32/topic13828.html

26 Gourmet Burger Recipes
http://huggingthecoast.com/2010/04/26/26-gourmet-burger-recipes-for-warm-weather-cookouts-and-parties/

Grilled Onions
http://cheftomcooks.com/forum/barbecue-recipes-grilling-recipes-f16/topic13942.html

Mexican Grilled Corn on the Cob
http://huggingthecoast.com/2010/05/19/mexican-grilled-corn-on-the-cob-recipe-elote-party-appetizer-recipes/

Check out these party decorations from Party Mart for your next party.

1 box instant pistachio pudding
2 cups milk
2 kiwifruit, sliced
Cool Whip
green food coloring

Prepare pudding according to package directions.

When pudding is chilled, layer pudding, kiwifruit and green-tinted
Cool Whip in clear plastic cups.

Serve with green-tinted lemonade.

My Roast Turkey

Cheesy Cauliflower & Green Bean Casserole

Turkey Stock
1 turkey carcass
6 quarts of water, or more to cover
2 cups chopped celery
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cups chopped onions
1 bay leaf
small bunch of fresh parsley
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste

Turkey Soup
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup shopped onions
1 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 1/2 cups corn
1 1/2 cups green beans, chopped
leftover turkey meat, chopped
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
chopped parsley
marjoram

To make the stock, place the turkey carcass in a large pot and cover with water. Place over high heat. Add the onions, carrots, celery, parsley, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer for at least 4 hours while skimming the top. After the stock is ready, pour it through a strainer and discard the bones, veggies.

Take the stock and place it over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, onions, celery, corn, green beans, turkey meat, salt, pepper, parsley and marjoram. Simmer for about 45 minutes until all the veggies are tender.

Note: If you are already a subscriber of the Chef Tom Recipe Newsletter, then you do not need to do anything. You will be e-mailed the cookbook automatically in 2 days.

Download Now: http://cheftomcooks.com/cran/

Recipe List:

Acorn Squash With Cranberry Filling
Apple-Cranberry Casserole
Baked Cranberry Squash
Boston Chicken Cranberry Sauce
Braised Cabbage With Cranberry Beans & Rice
Candied Cranberry Clusters
Citrus-Scented Roast Turkey With Cranberry Sauce
Cooked Cranberry-Orange Relish
Cooked Cranberry-Orange Relish
Cranberry and Apricot Chutney
Cranberry Apple Relish
Cranberry Orange Glaze
Cranberry Pear Crisp
Cranberry Pecan Pie
Cranberry Punch
Cranberry Salad
Cranberry Salsa
Cranberry Sauce with Lime and Ginger
Cranberry Spritzer
Cranberry Stuffed Turkey Breasts
Cranberry Turnovers with Maple Glaze
Cranberry, Apple Conserve
Cranberry, Orange And Apple Relish
Cranberry, Orange And Walnut Relish
Cranberry, Shallot, And Dried-Cherry Compote
Cranberry-Apricot Sauce
Cranberry-Basmati Rice
Cranberry-Blueberry Muffins
Cranberry-Ice Cream Soda
Cranberry-Nut Rugalach
Cranberry-Orange Bars
Cranberry-Orange Hazelnut Dip
Cranberry-Orange Sauce
Cranberry-Pineapple-Orange Sauce
Cranberry-Raspberry Sauce
Cranberry-Rice Stuffing
Cranberry-Sage Couscous Stuffing
Cranberry-Tangerine Relish
Fresh Cranberry Relish
Ginger Cranberry Relish
Holiday Cranberry Salad
Hot Cranberry Toddy
Hot Spiced Cranberry Punch
Jellied Cranberry Sauce
Lamb Chops With Cranberry-Pear Chutney
Light And Fruity Cranberry Salad
Open Faced Hot Turkey Sammys With Stuffing, Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce
Orange Cranberry Relish
Panna Cotta Brain With Cranberry Glaze
Pork Chops In Cranberry Mustard
Pork Roast, Cranberry-Ginger
Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins
Pumpkin Pie with Cranberry Marmalade
Pumpkin-Cranberry Cake
Raspberry Cranberry Cheesecake
Raspberry Cranberry Lemon Berry Squeeze
Raspberry Cranberry Yogurt Dressing
Roast Turkey With Cranberry Stuffing
Roast Turkey With Honey Cranberry Relish
Roasted Turkey with Cranberry Glaze
Sausage, Apple, and Dried Cranberry Stuffing
Spiced Cranberry Sauce
Tiny Tim Cranberry Tarts
Turkey Tartlets with Cranberry Salsa
Turkey with Cranberry Glaze
Warmed Cranberry Brie
Whole Wheat Cranberry Muffins

Download All of These Cranberry Recipes:
http://cheftomcooks.com/cran/

long pretzel rods
white dipping chocolate
Halloween colored sprinkles (yellow, orange, black)
wax paper

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Dip half of the pretzel rod into the melted chocolate then sprinkle with the sprinkles. Lay them on waxed paper to dry.