Each week, this column offers recipes from Valley cookbooks. If your organization would like to have

Each week, this column offers recipes from Valley cookbooks. If your organization would like to have its cookbook showcased, please contact our society department at 330-747-1471, ext. 1283, or email society@vindy.com.

“PARTY FAVORITES” BY ANGELS OF EASTER SEALS

CRANBERRY WINE PUNCH

by WANDA LIPP

3cups vodka

1cup Burgundy wine, chilled

4cups cranberry juice, chilled

Fresh strawberries and sliced oranges

Large block of ice

Combine vodka, Burgundy wine and cranberry juice in a large punch bowl. Add big block of ice. Garnish with strawberries and sliced oranges. Serves 15 to 20.

CHRISTMAS CAULIFLOWER

by judy pezzano

1head cauliflower

1/4cup diced green pepper

1(7.3 ounce) jar sliced mushrooms

1/4cup butter

1/3cup flour

2cups milk

1cup shredded Swiss cheese

2tablespoons diced pimentos

1teaspoon salt

Break cauliflower into florets; drain mushrooms. Cook cauliflower in small amount of water for 6 to 7 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain well. In a medium saucepan, saute green pepper and mushrooms in butter for 2 minutes. Add flour; gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in cheese until melted. Add pimentos and salt. Place half of cauliflower in greased 2-quart baking dish; top with half of sauce. Repeat layers. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees for 25 minutes or until bubbly.

christmas crunch

by ANGELINE JULIANO

Saltine crackers

1cup butter

1cup sugar

9ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

9ounces milk chocolate chips

Walnuts or pecans to taste

Line a 12- by 16-inch lipped cookie sheet with heavy foil. Lay out crackers side by side. Melt butter in saucepan; add sugar, bring to a boil and stir gently for 3 minutes. Pour mixture over crackers and spread with a spatula. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over top. Place in warm oven for approximately 1 minute or until chips are shiny. Spread with spatula, gently. Top with nuts. Place cookie sheet in freezer for 30 to 60 minutes. Remove from freezer and break into pieces.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The cookbook is a commemorative collection of party recipes by the Angels of Easter Seals and the Easter Seals staff and board members.

TO obtain a copy

Copies can be purchased at any of the Easter Seals locations for $14 each or call the Angels event line at 330-599-5500 or visit www.mtc.easterseals.com; the cost with shipping is $16.