Cosmo Cranberry Sauce

12 oz fresh cranberries, rinse, drained and picked through
1 c sugar
1/3 c vodka (you can use water mixed if you don't want to go too alcoholic)
3 T orange flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier or Triple Sec

In a heavy medium saucepan over moderate heat, combine cranberries, sugar and 1/2 c water.  Bring to boil, stirring often to dissolve sugar, then reduce heat to moderately low and simmer, stirring often, until thickened and reduce to about 3 cups, about 15 minutes.  Transfer to medium bowl and cool, stirring often until tepid, about 30 minutes.   Stir in vodka and liqueur.  Transfer to serving bowl, cover and refrigerate until chilled and set, at least 2 hours.  Sauce can be made 2 weeks ahead and refrigerated.  Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Tanya's Pumpkin Pie

This is not a recipe I have readily shared through the years.  But I always get so many compliments for this recipe because it is not the typical bland pumpkin pie.

This pie has a kick.

The crust is made with ginger snaps and pecans.  You can use walnuts and even almonds, but because I usually always have pecans with Georgia being somewhat nearby, I try to use them and I like to decorate the middle of the pie with 3 extra ones.

For the crust:
1-2 bags Ginger Snaps - I have baked them before but I prefer the ones they sell in the brown bag, Murray's Old fashioned.  I prefer to use these because they are ready at hand and I like to use them for other things too (Pumpkin Dip!).  I like to buy 2 bags, because I find I'll eat some while baking, this insures I always have more.
1/2 c ground pecans, plus 3 for decor
1/3 c white sugar/sugar blend, add to taste. You don't want it to be overly sweet, but you do want it to compliment the spicy of the pie.
6 T Butter, unsalted
1/2 t ground cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together and press into a 9 inch pie dish/pan.  Bake in a preheated 375F oven for 7 minutes. Chill for an hour.

Pie Mix:
15 oz pumpkin
12 oz Evaporated Milk
2 Lrg. Eggs
1 1/2 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t salt
1 t ground ginger
1/2 t ground cloves
3/4 c sugar/sugar blend

Combine dry ingredients in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl, stir in pumpkin and add sugar/spice mixture.  Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

Pour into pie shell.

Bake in preheated 425F oven for 15 minutes.  Reduce temp to 350F bake for 40-50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.  Decorate with the 3 pecans, this will also hide your knife mark. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

I always forget to take a picture of it when it's done.  I may actually add a picture to this post this week when I make it!

Blue Ribbon Apple Pie - Cheddar and Apple

So this is my favorite apple pie recipe... everyone who has ever had it absolutely raves about it.  I am so scared of losing the recipe again, that I am posting it twice on here!  Once on the link and the other a copy and paste of the recipe image. Enjoy!  I'll be making this for Thanksgiving this year again.
Recipe Link From Original Site

Drunken Monkey's Lunch

1 oz vodka

1 oz banana liqueur

1 oz Kahlua

3 oz milk


Pour the Kahlua, vodka, banana liqueur over cubed ice in an old-fashioned glass. Fill with milk.

Pear Ginger Chutney

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hours, 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 10 cups (5 pounds) peeled, sliced, firm, ripe pears
• 1/2 cup finely chopped green bell peppers
• 1-1/2 cups seedless raisins
• 4 cups sugar
• 1 cup chopped crystallized ginger
• 3 cups cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon whole allspice berries
• 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
• 3 cinnamon sticks (2 inches long)

Preparation:

1. Place the pears, peppers, raisins, sugar, ginger, vinegar, and salt in a saucepan.
2. Tie allspice and cloves in a cheesecloth bag and add to the pan, along with the cinnamon.
3. Cook slowly until pears are tender and mixture is thick, about 1 hour. Remove spices.
4. Ladle into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headroom. Run a rubber spatula around the insides of the jars to release air bubbles. Wipe the jar rims with a clean cloth. Place lids in position and tighten screw bands.
5. Process in a boiling-water-bath canner for 10 minutes.

Yield: About 10 half-pints

Kentucky Derby Pie

Mix together the following ingrediants:

• 1/2 Stick Margarine
• 1/2 cup corn starch
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tsp bourbon (can substitute vanilla)
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 tsp flour
• 1 cup pecans
• 6 oz chocolate chips

Pour into a deep dish pie shell. Bake at 325 degrees until middle is fairly solid.

Sangria of Seville

4 1/3 c. dry red wine
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. Brandy
1/2 c. Bourbon (could use Gin or Vodka)
12 oz. club soda
1/4 inch cinnamon stick, crumbled
1 bottle Champagne, optional

Combine first 4 ingredients and the crumbled cinnamon stick and chill overnight with cut up pieces of apple, orange and peaches (if desired). Just 1 hour before serving add sliced banana. Serve on ice. Or serve in individual glasses garnished with a skewer of pineapple.