Is it Tastey Tuesday....... again?

Don't you think the weeks fly by quicker in December?




We've been nursing some lousy head colds and sore throats and body aches and overall tiredness here in Judiland. Definitely not a good way to usher in the holidays. But, it is what it is. So, in honor of feeling lousy and exhausted and quite unmerry......I decided to start off with a spicey comfort food recipe with a few of my fav ingredients that will chase germs away and bring a little merry back.....

Jalapeno Crab Dip

• 1 pound lump crabmeat, picked over for shells and cartilage
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 1/2 cup chopped pickled jalapenos
• 1/4 pound shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (or more if you are so inclined!)
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the crabmeat, garlic, jalapenos, Monterey Jack, Worcestershire, hot sauce, salt, and mayonnaise in a medium-size mixing bowl. Toss gently to mix. Spoon the mixture into a medium-size mixing bowl. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly on the top of the crabmeat mixture. Bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for about 5 minutes before serving with your choice of veggies, crackers or tortilla chips!

And, just for medicinal purposes......you might want to wash it all down with:

Pomegranate Margarita

• 1/4 cup pomegranate juice, ( store bought is fine)
  
• 1/3 cup Tequila Blanco (about 4 ounces)
• 1/8 cup Triple Sec (about 1-ounce)
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 ounces)
• 12 ounces ice cubes
• Margarita salt, optional

Directions

Combine all ingredients, except salt, in a blender and pulse until frothy and well combined. Rim glasses with lime juice using a lime wedge then dip in margarita salt, pour margarita in your glass and wa-la....you will be cured!!!

Okay, if none of that works......

Try this.....

Cranberry-Apple Dump Cake

• 
  
1 (16 ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling
1 (18 1/4 ounce) box yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
• 
  

Directions
Heat oven to 325 degrees. Dump cranberries into an ungreased 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Dump apple pie filling into pan. Spread mixture evenly and spread dry cake mix on top. Cut up butter and dot top of cake. Sprinkle walnuts or pecans over the cake batter. Bake at 325° for 65 to 75 minutes, or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Serve with whipped cream!

And, just in case you need to kick a few extra germs out....follow it up with:

Nuts and berries cocktail

1/2 oz Frangelico hazelnut liqueur
1/2 oz Chambord raspberry liqueur
2 oz cream

Pour ingredients into a stainless steel shaker over ice, and shake until completely cold. Strain into a chilled, stemmed or rocks glass filled with ice.

But, if for some reason you need a little extra comforting.....

May I suggest an old fashioned remedy......

Hot Toddy

1 tbsp honey
3/4 cup of hot tea
2 shots brandy
1 slice lemon

Put on your Christmas jammies.
Brew tea, add to mug. Mix in honey and brandy shots. Add lemon slice. Sip slowly then go to bed and dream of sugar plums.

Perhaps little elves will come and finish up your Christmas list.
Followed by George Clooney crawling in beside you......wearing nothing but his Santa belt.....

Feel the merry return.