THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories." (From the movie An Affair to Remember ) CRANBERRY MARGARITAS ( Rachael Ray - 30 Minute Meals) 1 1/4 cup cranberry juice 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 cup fresh cranberries 3/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice 3/4 cup tequila 1/2 cup Grand Marnier ice Mix all ingredients, except ice. Pour half in blender and fill the rest of blender with ice. Blend. Repeat with second batch. (2 medium pitchers) _______________________ SASSY CRANBERRY SALSA 1 unpeeled orange, quartered and seeded 2 cups cranberries 2/3 cup sugar pinch salt 1/2 chopped green pepper 2 seeded and finely chopped jalapeno peppers 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans Coarsely chop orange quarters in food processor. Add cranberries, sugar, and salt; pulse 2-3 times until cranberries are coarsely chopped. Transfer to bowl and add green pepper, jalapeno peppers, cilantro and pecans. Chill and serve with Terra Vegetable Chips or favorite...

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas ... perhaps ... means a little bit more." ~ Dr. Seuss (1904-1991) From 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas' ~ Winter Wonderland (Today's surprise snow storm) _______________ SNOW STORM MARTINI 2 oz. Vodka 1 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur 1 oz. White creme de cacao Crushed ice Combine all ingredients in mixing glass. Add ice, stir to chill, and strain into your martini glass filled with crushed ice. _________ SNOWBALL MARTINI 1 oz. Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka 1 oz. Van Gogh Espresso Vodka 1 oz. Van Gogh Coconut Vodka splash of light half & half Shake all ingredients with crushed ice. Strain into a martini glass.

"After today, I'll bet Santa takes a shovel to the reindeer stalls to fill your stocking." ~ Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes author) SLEEP TIGHT ~ True to its name _________ 5 oz. milk 1/2 oz. honey 1 oz. Couvoisier V.S.O.P. (cognac) Warm a coffee cup with hot water and empty. Steam milk and honey using the wand of a home espresso machine until hot and slightly frothed (or use a hand frother). Pour cognac into warmed coffee mug and top with steamed milk and a dollop of foam. (1 serving)

" Champagne and orange juice is a great drink. The orange improves the champagne. The champagne definitely improves the orange." ~ Philip (Duke of Edinburgh) POINTSETTIA ~ Santa never says "NO" ... __________ 1/2 oz. Triple Sec or Cointreau 3 oz. Cranberry juice slash of orange juice 4-5 oz. champagne cranberries orange slices Add chilled Cointreau or Triple Sec to cranberry juice. Add splash of orange juice. Plop 3 cranberries in champagne glass. Fill 1/2 glass with cranberry juice mixture and slowly top with champagne. Serve with orange slice. (Can also be served over cracked ice). _______________ VILLA CREEK BLACK PEPPER SHORTBREAD ~ Delicious treat from Tom Fundaro, chef at Villa Creek . _________ 6 ounces unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks) ¼ cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 ½ teaspoons cracked black pepper ¾ teaspoon dried thyme 2 1/3 cups flour 5 tablespoons whipping cream Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the butter in a mixing bowl and let it stand until softened, the...