Holiday Recipes from Fresh 365

One of the bloggers I've had the priveledge of getting to know over the last year is Erin from Fresh 365. Besides being a really nice person, she's an amazing chef! Her blog is packed with nutritious and mouthwatering recipes. Erin has given me the o.k. to "steal" a couple to share with you! Thanks, Erin. :0) Here goes!

CRANBERRY THUMBPRINT COOKIES (makes 32 cookies)

Cranberry Jam:

12 oz fresh cranberries
1/2 c fresh orange juice
1/2 c water
5-6 T sugar

Sugar Cookies:

1 1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 c flour
1/2 t salt
1/4 t baking soda
1 t vanilla
1 egg
1/2 c shortening

In a medium sauce pan, combine cranberries, orange juice, water and 4 T sugar, over low heat. Cover and allow to cook, 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste, adding more sugar to desired sweetness. Cook an additional 10-15 minutes, until mixture thickens and most of the large cranberries pieces have dissolved. Cool in fridge.

Preheat oven to 375F. In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, salt and baking soda. Stir in vanilla and egg. Add shortening, and combine well with a pastry blender or spoon. Place rounded teaspoons of dough on a greased cookie sheet (these should be small, making 32 cookies total—enough for two baking sheets). With your thumb, make an indent in each of the cookies, and add a teaspoon of cranberry jam.

Transfer to oven and bake 8-10 minutes, until edges begin to brown.

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Get ready to drool. Here's a recipe for Pear Gruyere Paninis....yum!



PEAR AND GRUYERE PANINI (makes 2 paninis)

4 slices Ciabatta (about 3/4" thick)
honey, to taste
1 pear, cut into thin slices (I used Bartlett)
8 thin slices Gruyere
1/4 t fresh thyme leaves
1 T olive oil

Generously drizzle each slice of Ciabatta with honey. Top with pear slices, dividing evenly among the four slices. Top two of the slices with an even amount of Gruyere, and thyme, followed by the 2 slices of bread with pears, fruit facing down.

In a large skillet, heat 1 T olive oil, over medium-high heat. Transfer panini to the skillet and place a heavy pan on top, pressing panini down*. Cook 3-5 minutes, until golden brown. Flip panini, adding 1 T olive oil if needed, and cook 3-5 minutes, until golden brown. Serve warm.

Any holiday recipes you'd like to share? Leave a link in the comments section and I'll definitely pay your blog a visit (can you tell I like food? lol.)