Non-Alcoholic Anniversary Drink  (Makes 1 gallon)

Ingredients
3 quarts cranberry juice
1 quart club soda
1 orange cut into thin slices
8 whole cinnamon sticks

Directions:

1.      Chill juice and soda until serving time.

2.      Mix the juice and soda in a punch bowl.

3.      Float orange slices with cinnamon sticks standing through the center of each orange slice.

Avocado-Tomato Dip

Ingredients

1/2 cup mashed  avocado
1 tsp lime juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1  teaspoon grated red onion
1 diced tomato
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)

Directions

1.      Blend the above ingredients in a blender.

2.      Serve with vegetable platter or pita chips

Onion fritters (Serves approx. 3-4)

Ingredients

1 cup besan (chick pea or garbanzo bean flour)
1/4 teaspoon salt
pinch of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ginger paste)
2 large onions
1 green chilie, minced (or to taste)
1 tablespoon melted ghee (clarified butter) or oil
Water
Oil for frying

Directions

1.      Combine flour with salt, baking soda, ginger, onions and green chilies and onions.

2.      Add the melted ghee and mix well with fingers to make a crumbly mixture.

3.      Add a few tablespoons of water and mix well to form a stiff batter.

4.      Heat oil in a deep frying pan until it turns piping hot.

5.      Using a Tablespoon, drop batter into the pan to form small fritters.

6.      Reduce heat to medium and deep fry till golden brown.

7.      Turn the fritters over so that it cooks on all sides.

8.      When they turn golden brown, place them on paper towels. (I usually place a thick cloth towel under the paer towels to absorb the oil)

Serve with tea or as an appetizer

Simple Dressing for fresh greens (makes 1 ½ cup)

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 Tablespoons minced red onion OR 1 Tablespoon minced fresh garlic
6 Tablespoons wine vinegar
1 cup olive oil

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients and blend well.

Almond Crumb Cake

Ingredients

2 ¼ cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons butter
4 eggs
1 cup ground almond
½ cup finely chopped craisons or dates
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
1 tablespoon baking powder

Directions

1.      In a large bowl beat blend sugar, vanilla and butter.

2.      Add 3 eggs and blend thoroughly

3.      Stir in ground almond and craisons or dates

4.      In a separate bowl combine flour and baking powder.

5.      Gradually stir into the almond mixture to form a stiff dough.

6.      Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead lightly.

7.      Cover and let it rest for one about half an hour.

8.      Preheat oven to 350 degrees

9.      Divide dough in half

10.  Grease two baking sheets and press each piece onto to the sheet to make a smooth circle.

11.  Beat remaining egg to blend and brush over dough

12.  Run tines of a form across tops to make diamond pattern in dough,

13.  Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden.

14.  Let cool on pan for 10 minutes.

15.  Serve warm.

This cake can be served as a dessert with cream.  It also goes well with afternoon tea.