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Zippy Holiday Recipes

© Judy Howle

Spicy Pecans

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• dash cumin
• 2 cups pecan halves and pieces

Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter in medium skillet over medium heat. Add chili powder, salt and pepper and stir to blend. Remove from heat. Add pecans and stir to coat. Transfer to rimmed baking sheet. Bake until pecans are golden, about 8 minutes. Cool. Coarsely chop pecans. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)

Makes 2 cups.

These are great, but not too hot using commercial chili powder. Add some red pepper. If using only red pepper, cut down on the amount unless you like them sizzling!

Cheddar's Santa Fe Spinach Dip
Top Secret Recipes

Notes: Fellow viewer Eric Ortego submitted his own personal creation. Once again another hit. We had a small gathering, and this stuff was "scooped" up !

• 1 medium onion chopped (small)
• 2 cans spinach (drained)
• 1 small can plum tomatoes chopped (small)
• 1 (4 oz.) can green chiles chopped and drained
• 1(8 oz.) cream cheese (room temp)
• 1 cup half/half
• 10 oz grated Monterey jack
• 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. sour cream
• salt and pepper to taste

Saute onion in skillet over medium until softened. Add tomatoes and chiles, cook 2 minutes. Transfer to large bowl and stir in spinach, cheese, cream cheese, half and half and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon mixture into shallow baking dish bake in 400 deg oven until dip is bubbly and top is light brown, about 35 minutes. Top with a spoon of sour cream and serve with tortilla chips.

Spanish Mushrooms

• 4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 lb mushrooms, sliced thickly.
• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp sherry vinegar
• 1/4 cup stock
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp hot paprika
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• salt and pepper
• Fresh parsley chopped

Heat the oil in a skillet and sauté mushrooms and garlic over high heat for 2 mins. Lower the heat and stir in all the remaining ingredients but salt, pepper and parsley. Simmer for 1 minute. Season to taste. Serve hot or cold. Garnish with parsley at serving time.

Instant Bloody Marias
Recipe By : "Hotter Than Hell" by Jane Butel
Serving Size : 12

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup tequila -- or more, as needed
• 1 small head lettuce leaves -- OR
• 1 small bunch watercress -- OR
• grape leaves -- rinsed and drained
• 1 packet dry Italian salad dressing mix (3/4-1 oz.) -- OR