••••HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY CRAIG••••

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••••HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN•••

*PUMPKIN PIE SPICE*

•Combine 1/4 cup ground cinnamon

•2-1/2 TB ground ginger

•2 tsp ground cloves

•2 tsp ground allspice

•2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg or ground

•1 tsp ground or grated cardamom

1. Combine all ingredients to make the spice.

(Source: Unknown•Courtesy of EVANA & google+ photo)

••••FIG, LEMON AND HONEY CHEESECAKE••••

*CHRISTMAS COLLECTION*

SERVINGS: 12

CRUST:

•1 cup graham cracker Graham's

•2 TB granulated sugar

•3 TB butter, melted 

•1 cup chopped stemmed Figs

CHEESECAKE:

•1-1/2 pounds (three 8-ounce packages) cream cheese

•3/4 cup granulated sugar 

•1/4 cup sour cream

•2 teaspoons lemon zest

•1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

•3 large eggs

•1 lemon, thinly sliced (for garnish)

SAUCE:

•1/2 cup water

•1/2 cup honey

•1/3 cup lemon juice

•1-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 1 TB water

•1 cup sliced, stemmed CALIFORNIA Figs 

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. For crust, mix graham cracker crumbs and sugar, stir in butter. Press into bottom of buttered 9-inch springform pan. Bake 8-10 minutes, till edges are golden. Remove from oven and sprinkle evenly with figs.

3. For cheesecake, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium-low speed until smooth, scraping bowl as needed. Gradually beat in sugar, then sour cream, zest and vanilla. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Scrap filling into pan over figs. Bake on middle rack for 45-55 minutes, until almost set in center. Cool. Chill 4 hours or overnight.

4. For sauce, in small saucepan, combine water, honey and lemon juice. Stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a simmer. Add cornstarch solution and stir for a few seconds, until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in figs. Cool. Chill until serving time.

5. To serve, run thin knife around edge of cheesecake and remove side of pan. Cut into wedges and top each with sauce. Garnish with thin slices of lemon, if desired.

(Source: Spokesman Review•pinch & google+ photo)

••••CHRISTMAS IS COMING••••

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••••PROSCIUTTO AND GOAT CHEESE PIZZA••••

*PIZZA COLLECTION*

SERVINGS: 2 PREP TIME: 6 minutes COOKING TIME: 12 minutes

•1 fully baked thin pizza crust (10-ounce)

•1/2 cup marinara sauce

•1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

•1 package (3-ounce) thinly sliced prosciutto (deli section)

•1 ounce soft fresh goat cheese, coarsley crumbled

•2 TB chopped fresh basil

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Lay pizza crust on a foil-covered pizza pan or cookie sheet. Spread sauce evenly over pizza crust. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over crust, leaving a 1-inch border around edge. Arrange prosciutto on top of cheese. Sprinkle goat cheese over prosciutto.

3. Bake until prosciutto is crisp and cheeses are melted, about 12 minutes. Sprinkle basil over pizza. Cut pizza into 6 slices and serve.

Storage and Leftovers: Cover tightly and store in refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 425 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until warm.

(Source: Sandra Lee Cookbook Card & photo also)

••••MORE PIZZAS ON THE WAY••••

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••••TUNA & APPLE PITA PIZZA••••

*PIZZA COLLECTION*

1. Split a whole wheat pita in half. Brush the cut side of each round with olive oil and broil until crisp. Top with fresh spinach, canned albacore tuna, sliced apple, and grated Gruyere or Swiss cheese. Broil again until the cheese melts.

(Source: THE CAN'T COOKBOOK by Jessica Seinfield & photo also)