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Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour,
2 tsp ground ginger,
1 cup granulated sugar,
1 tsp ground cinnamon,
1/2 tsp ground cloves,
A pinch of salt,
3/4 cup vegetable shortening or butter at room temperature,
1 teaspoons baking soda,
1 egg,
1/4 cup molasses,
2 tbsp granulated sugar for rolling.

Picture Courtesy: www.oldecolonybakery.com

Method:
Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C).
Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a medium size mixing bowl. In another bowl cream together butter (or vegetable shortening) and sugar until soft, light and creamy. Stir in the beaten egg with molases. Stir in this egg mixture to the butter and sugar mixture and blend well. Now fold in the flour mixture slowly using a wooden spatula. Prepare a dough and shape into lemon size balls, flatten them slightly, roll them into granulated sugar and place on cookie sheet around 2 inches apart from each other. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or till the cookies are light brown and puffed. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer them to the wire rack to cool down completely. Later transfer to airtight container and store for 3-4 days at room temperature or refrigerate for 2 months.

Soft and cheesey sausage bites will win you accolades at your Christmas dinner or your New Year party.

Ingredients:
1 pound reduced fat pork or chicken sausages; finely chopped,
1 cup cheddar cheese; grated,
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese; grated,
1 white onion; very finely chopped,
Few jalepeno peppers; finely chopped,
2 tbsp milk or as required,
2 cups Bisquick or Bread crumbs.

Method:

Preheat the oven to 350° F (175° C). Grease a baking sheet with the cooking spray.
In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients and knead the mixture until well blended. Then roll the mixture into small lemon-size balls. Arrange

these balls on the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Prick toothpicks in each ball and serve as an appetizer.

Rich chocolate fudge with lots of nuts. Make your Christmas special with this nutty treat. 

Ingredients:
1 can (14oz or 400ml) sweetened condensed milk,
2 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips,
1 cup chopped nuts (any or all as per your choice),
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.

Method:
Grease a 8-inch sqaure pan. Mix together condensed milk and chocolate chips and place on medium flame. Stir and cook till chocolate melts for around 4-5 minutes. Stir in walnuts and vanilla extract. Then remove from flame and pour into the pan and let it cool. Later cut the fudge into sqaures.

An ideal appetizer/side dish for your Christmas or New Year Eve. Simple and delicious tartlets. 

Ingredients:
30 tartlet shells,
250gms (around 1/2 lb) mushrooms (portobello, button, wild, shiitake,oyster, or any other of your choice), chopped,
1 small shallot; chopped,
2 cloves of garlic; chopped,
150 gms (around 1/4 lb) goat cheese; grated,
Few leaves of parsley; chopped,
Salt and pepper to taste,
Butter for roasting.

Method:
In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Add the shallot and saute for few minutes. Then add garlic and roast for a minute. Now add chopped mushrooms and cook them stirring occasionally till all the juice is absorbed. Season with salt and pepper. Add parsley and little cheese (reserve some for topping later) and remove from flame.
Preheat the oven at 350 degree F (175 degree C) for 10 minutes. Now place spoonful of the mixture in each tartlet shell, top with grated goat cheese and place on the baking sheet. Bake these tartlets on the same temperature for 10 minutes or till the crust is golden brown. Serve immediately.

A very easy and quick recipe for vegetable and cheese sandwiches that can be prepared in less than 10 minutes. Kids love these sandwiches and is a healthy option to go in their lunchbox. A sumptous breakfast for all.

Ingredients:
4 slices of multigrain or brown bread,
1 cup grated Mozzarella cheese, (or any other that is available)
2 tbsp chopped red or white onion,
3-4 tbsp chopped red,yellow and green peppers (or whichever is available),
6-7 black or green olives; sliced,
2 tbsp chopped tomatoes,
Few leaves of spinach; blanched,
1/2 tsp red chilli flakes,
1/2 tsp dry mixed herbs.

Method:
Heat a griddle or choose to grill you sandwich. Butter the bread if you like, else use as it is. Mix together all the other ingredients and divide into two equal portions to prepare two sandwiches. Stuff the cheese mixture in between two bread slices, press and place on the griddle or on the grill. Roast or grill on both sides till crisp and brown. Cut each sandwich into two pieces diagonally and serve hot as breakfast with juice or milk.
TIPS:
1. Veg Cheese Balls: Use the same filling to prepare cheese balls. Prepare the filling, make small balls, coat them with bread crumbs, egg, again with bread crumbs and bake or deep fry them.

2. Veg Cheese Nuggets: Add little mashed potatoes to the cheese mixture, make small flat balls, coat with bread crumbs and fry. You can add more vegetables to the mixture.

3. You can use this filling in parathas too.