Spiced Pomegranate Sangria

This sangria is pretty strong, so make sure you've got some hearty savory pie ready to go! 

Ingredients:  

• 4 cups Castañeda sangria (aka, the whole bottle)
• 2 cups pomegranate juice
• 1 cups pomegranate schnapps
• 1 cups brandy
• 1/2 cup ginger ale
• 1 cup frozen raspberries
• 1 cup frozen grapes
• 1/2 cup orange slices
• ice cubes

Preparation: 

• Mix raspberries and grapes, and hold into the freezer.
• Mix sangria, schnapps, juice, orange slides and brandy in a large pitcher.
• An hour before serving, add the frozen fruit.
• Top off with ginger ale to taste. 
  
• Add ice cubes, if desired. 

Adapted from: http://daydreamerdesserts.com/2013/08/spiced-pomegranate-sangria.html/

Alice's Ham and Cheddar Scones

Here's another favorite.

Ingredients:  

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1&1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 cup diced Cheddar cheese (I use Dublin cheddar)
• 1/2 cup diced Gruyere chese
• 3/4 cup chopped sliced Black Forrest Ham (I used trader Joe's)
• 1/4 cup chives (or rosemary)
• 1&1/4 sticks butter
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or cream)

Preparation: 

• Preheat the oven to 425 F
• Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the cheeses, ham, and chives (or rosemary) to the mix. 
• Make a well in the center of the incredients and add the melted butter and milk. Mix together until combined.
• On a floured surface, force the mixture together with your hands until combined. (It will appear very dry, but will still stick together. Do not fret - it will still taste moist.)
• Once the dough is mostly combined, separate it into individual scones about 1&1/2 inches thick, and 3 inches wide. You should get about 12 scones.
• Bake the scones for about 1/2 minutes or until lightly browned.

On cheese substitutions: If substituting cheeses, stick to a hard cheese, as others will melt during cooking and may not stay within the scone. (They will still taste great, though!)

Adapted from: Alice's Tea Cup, by Haley Fox and Lauren Fox

Candy Corn Fruit Cup

Looks like candy corn, but tastes like fruit!

Ingredients:  

• pineapple, finely chopped
• mandarin oranges, soaked in orange juice
• fresh whipped cream

Preparation: 

• using a towel, pat dry the mandarin oranges
• In a small glass (I used mini-zombie glasses), layer the mandarin oranges, pineapple, and whipped cream. Each should fill approximately 1/3 of the cup.

Adapted from: http://nomnomcrunch.com/healthy-halloween-candy-corn-fruit-cup/

Pears With Blue Cheese and Prosciutto

An easy healthy treat for fall, that feels just a little fancy

Ingredients:  

• 2 pears (such as Bosc or Bartlett), each cut into 
• 8 wedges
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup arugula
• 3 ounces blue cheese, cut into small pieces
• 6 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, cut in half lengthwise

Preparation: 

• In a large bowl, toss the pears and lemon juice.
• Layer a slice of pear, an arugula leaf, and a piece of cheese on a piece of prosciutto and roll up.

Adapted from : http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/pears-blue-cheese-prosciutto-10000001694964/index.html

No-bread cucumber sandwiches

For your gluten-free friends. Though your other friends will eat them up too!

Ingredients:  

• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• goat cheese
• tomato, thinly sliced
• 1 bunch fresh basil

Preparation: 

• Pat dry the sliced cucumber between two sheets of paper towels
• Spread goat cheese on each cucumber slice
• Layer 1-2 basil leaves, and one tomato on every other slice
• Place un-layered slices cheese-slide down over the tomato

I haven't tried these yet, but here are 15 other no-bread sandwiches that look great : http://www.buzzfeed.com/ailbhemalone/15-mouthwatering-no-bread-sandwiches