Alton Brown's Granola

Ingredients

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup cashews
• 3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup raisins

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar.
In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.
Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add raisins and mix until evenly distributed.

Hot Artichoke Dip

My go-to hot artichoke dip - often requested.

Ingredients:
2 cans of artichoke hearts
1 c. mayonaise
1 c. parmesan cheese, grated or shredded
2 cloves garlic, crushed

Directions:
Using a fork, mash the artichoke hearts in a decent sized bowl.  Stir in the other ingredients.

Pour into wide, shallow baking dish so that it can spread out.  Bake at 350 degrees until it bubbles around the edges, usually 20-30 minutes.

Cheese Cookies

I've adapted a recipe my mom used to make out of the Philadelphia Orchestra cookbook.  Savory cheese cookies are great with cocktails or wine.

Ingredients:
2 c. flour
2 sticks salted butter, softened
2 c. Rice Krispies
1 1/4 c. good parmesan cheese, grated or shredded
3/4 c. mild gorgonzola, crumbled (or other blue cheese)
1/2 tsp course ground black pepper (or a little more to taste)

Directions:
Preheat to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients by hand and form into small balls.  Place on ungreased cooke sheet, flatten with heel of hand or fork.

Bake for 15-17 minutes or until slightly browned.  Cool and place in airtight container.  Can be frozen and reheated as needed or served room temp.

Pecan Pie

Recipe comes from the Home restaurant cookbook.  Not as crazy sweet as most pecan pies with a nice touch of bourbon flavor!

Ingredients:
3 large eggs
1 c. dark corn syrup
1/2 c. light brown sugar
3 T. unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3 T. boubon
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 C. chopped pecans or pecan pieces
1 9" pie crust unbaked

Directions:
Preheat to 325 degrees

In large bowl, whisk together the eggs, corn syrup, and brown sugar.  Add melted butter and whisk until combined.  Whisk in bourbon, vanilla, and cinnamon.  Stir in pecans.

Fill pie shell.  Bake until filling is set in center, about 50 minutes.  Cool completely.