Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:
2 1/4 c. flour
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c. softened butter
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. molasses
1 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp sugar
Frosting, optional

Recipe: makes approx. 2 1/2 dozen cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. In a separate bowl combine butter and sugar until well blended. Beat in egg, water and molasses. Pour in flour mixture and blend well. Shape into balls (add a little more flour if dough is too sticky). Roll balls in the 2 Tbsp of sugar, place 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.

Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Eat frosted or unfrosted.

Praline Pumpkin Pie

Pastry for one crust:
1 c. flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 c. plus 1 Tbsp shortening
2-3 Tbsp cold water

Pie:
2 large eggs
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1/3 c. brown sugar
2/3 c. pecan halves.
1 Tbsp butter, softened


If you're making homemade crust, mix four and salt. Cut in shortening, using a pastry blender, until you get crumbles. Add the water, and shape the pastry into a ball. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and flatten slightly with a rolling pin. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or longer.

Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Roll out pastry onto a floured surface then transfer to your pie plate. Press the dough against the plate and flute the edges.

Line the edges with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 2 minutes.

In a medium bowl, beat eggs then add the rest of the ingredients. Put the foil back on the edges of the pie crust to prevent burning, and then place the pie plate on the oven rack. Pour the filling into the hot pie crust.

Bake for 15 minutes then reduce the heat to 350 degrees F. Bake for 35 minutes longer. Meanwhile, mix the brown sugar, pecans, and butter. After the 35 minutes, place the pecan mixture over the pie. Bake for another 10 minutes. Let cool, and enjoy!

Baked Potato Pizza with Caramelized Onions

Ingredients:
1 sweet onion, sliced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1/2 c. plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
1/2 tsp Worcestershire
1 tsp each salt and pepper
2 small potatoes, sliced
2 tsp minced garlic
shredded cheeses
Pizza dough

Recipe:
To caramelize the onions, heat oil and butter and add the sliced onions. Add the salt and pepper and saute for 25-30 minutes until onions are golden and caramelized. Yes, it takes that long.

Remove the onions from the pan and place on a paper towel to cool. Use the left over oil to spread on the pizza dough.

Meanwhile, place the sliced potatoes on a greased cookie sheet and season lightly with salt and pepper. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes flipping once.

Along with the leftover oil, spread the minced garlic over the dough. Mix the cooled onions with Greek yogurt, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Once combined, spread it over the pizza, and top with potato slices. Finally, sprinkle the cheeses over the potatoes, and bake for 10-12 minutes in a 400 degree oven.