Common Cuisine |

• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 lb raw shelled pecan halves

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

Combine the spices, salt, and sugar in a small bowl and whisk to blend. Set aside 1 teaspoon of the blended mixture.

Melt butter in small saucepan or in microwave. Add in spice mixture and honey.

Put the pecans in a medium mixing bowl and pour the warm spiced syrup mixture over them. Toss the mixture with a spatula or wooden spoon.

Spread the pecans evenly on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake on top rack for 45 minutes. The syrup should look dry (it will still be slightly sticky) and the pecans will have darkened to the color of mahogany. Remove the sheet from the oven and sprinkle the reserved 1 teaspoon spice mixture over the pecans.

Makes about 3 1/2 cups of pecans.

Warning: Highly Addicting!! Plan to make at least two recipes, one for yourself and one to share.

• 1 can chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans)
• 1/3 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
• 3 cloves roasted garlic
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt

Pop all ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until smooth, scraping sides occasionally. Serve with pita chips and fresh cut-up veggies. Makes about 2 cups dip.

8 oz sweet hot pepper jelly or jalapeno jelly
8 oz cream cheese
1 box crackers

Place the cream cheese on a plate. Pour pepper jelly over top. Serve with crackers.

Brie is a soft cheese with a mild buttery flavor. A brie appetizer will give your gathering a touch of class.

A full wheel of brie is about the size of your hand, and comes encased in a white rind. This rind is perfectly edible, although no one will shame you if you discreetly slide yours off into the trash.

1 wheel brie
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, finely diced*
2-3 Tbsp sliced almonds
Hearty crackers

At any point during the day of your party, melt butter and olive oil together in a skillet. Add chopped garlic, and saute for about 2 minutes, so that garlic is aromatic and slightly softened, but not burned crispy brown. Store covered in a bowl on the countertop until ready to proceed with baking.

Preheat oven to 350. Place brie wheel in a pie plate, and pour garlic mixture over the wheel. Sprinkle with almonds. Bake for 20 minutes, checking frequently to make sure the rind has not ruptured and allowed the melting cheese to run all over the plate. If this does happen, the only damage is cosmetic. And those who enjoy brie will not care.

Pull out the plate, spread the perimeter of the plate with crackers, and set the plate on a trivet or hot pad in the appetizer serving area. Add a 2″ dip knife and serve hot.

*To easily peel a clove of garlic, lay the flat blade of a chef’s knife across the clove. With the heel of your hand, give the blade a quick blow. This will crush the garlic, leading to three results: the papery cover will be much easier to remove; the clove will be flatter and easier to chop; and the bruising action will release the oils in the garlic for greater smell and taste enjoyment.

Of course the easiest way to make guacamole is to buy two avocados and a packet of mix and just stir them all together. My two objections to this are that first, I usually am lucky to make it home with avocados, let alone remember to also purchase the spice packet; and second it is so expensive just to get the avocados that I hate to spend another dollar on spices. So here is my completely non-scientific approach to making guacamole less expensive and fresher tasting at the same time. Don’t worry about the proportions, just put in a little of each and it will be great, I promise!

• 2-3 avocados
• juice of 1/2 a lime
• 2 Tbsp salsa
• a sliver of fresh chopped red onion
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped cilantro leaves
• 1 whole jarred jalapeno, seeds removed and finely chopped
• 1/4 tsp salt, to taste
• a couple shakes each garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder (if desired), to taste
• Bag of tortilla chips and baby carrots

Cut the avocados in half. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh. Use a fork to gently mash the flesh. Now don’t stir it again until everything else is added! Add remaining ingredients, except tortilla chips and carrots. Stir everything together, purposely leaving some chunks for texture. Chill for an hour if desired, then serve with chips and veggies, and you are a genius!

• 16 oz apricot preserves
• 1/3 cup yellow mustard
• 6 green onions, chopped
• 2 lbs precooked mini smoked sausage

Mix together apricot preserves and mustard. Stir in green onions and sausages. Cover and cook on low 4½ to 5 hours.

• 1 can drained water-packed artichoke hearts, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup mayo
• 4 oz fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
• 5 green onions, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped finely
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350°.

Stir together all ingredients and place in a shallow baking dish (like a pie plate). Bake for 20 minutes until bubbly and light golden brown.

Serve with woven wheat crackers.

Makes about 4 cups.