Party-popping Fried Cashews—from BITING THROUGH THE SKIN, by Nina Mukerjee Furstenau

Looking for a snack for tonight's New Year's Eve party? Try this recipe from Biting through the Skin: An Indian Kitchen in America's Heartland, by Nina Mukerjee Furstenau.

Party-popping Fried Cashews

1/2 pound raw cashews (can be found in most grocery store health food sections)
salt to taste (about 1/4 teaspoon)
black pepper to taste

Heat about 1 inch of oil in a small frying pan. When hot, put in all the nuts and stir-fry until medium brown. Drain nuts on a paper towel or in a sieve, sprinkle salt and pepper on them, and slide them onto a serving plate. Fantastic served warm.

Aloo Tikka (spicy potato patties)—from BITING THROUGH THE SKIN, by Nina Mukerjee Furstenau

Looking for something to spice up your winter? Try this recipe from Biting through the Skin: An Indian Kitchen in America's Heartland, by Nina Mukerjee Furstenau.

Aloo Tikka

Serves 4

2 potatoes, peeled, boiled and mashed with a fork
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1 green chili, finely sliced
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl and form 2- to 3-inch patties. Heat the oil in a heavy frying pan. When hot, place the potato patties in a single layer around the pan. When lightly browned, turn. Serve with taetul (tamarind/date chutney and/or coriander chutney) and slivers of raw onion.

December Gardening Tip—from GARDENING IN IOWA AND SURROUNDING AREAS

"When leaving on vacation, keep potted plants healthy by watering well and covering them with a clear dry-cleaning bag. The plants will stay watered for up to three weeks."—Darlene Lorenz, Independence Garden Club

Gardening in Iowa and Surrounding Areas, by Veronica Lorson Fowler with the Federated Garden Clubs of Iowa

Holiday Cranberry Salad—from UP A COUNTRY LANE COOKBOOK, by Evelyn Birkby

All of us at the University of Iowa Press would like to wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday! Share this holiday cranberry salad recipe from Up a Country Lane Cookbook, by Evelyn Birkby, with your family this season.

Holiday Cranberry Salad

1 pound cranberries
6 unpeeled apples
1 or 2 unpeeled oranges
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Wash cranberries. Pick out any unusable cranberries and discard. Wash and core apples and oranges. Grind all the fruits together. Stir in sugar and nuts. Chill, covered, for several hours or overnight. This will keep for a week or more. Excellent as a meat accompaniment. Makes about 8 to 10 servings.

Baked Squash—from NEIGHBORING ON THE AIR, by Evelyn Birkby

Thinking about trying something new for your holiday dinner this year? Try this recipe from Neighboring on the Air, by Evelyn Birkby.

Baked Squash

Cut the squash in strips after it is peeled. Slice in a baking dish until full. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and a little water. Put on lid and bake till done. Then add 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon butter or more. Bake another 20 minutes.

Betty Jane's Wild Rice with Mushrooms—from NEIGHBORING ON THE AIR, by Evelyn Birkby

Looking for holiday meal ideas? Try Betty Jane's wild rice with mushrooms recipe from Neighboring on the Air, by Evelyn Birkby.

Betty Jane's Wild Rice with Mushrooms

1 cup wild rice
1 cup grated American cheese
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1 cup chopped ripe olives
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 cup hot water
1/2 cup salad oil
1 cup canned tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste

Soak wild rice overnight; drain and add above ingredients. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Serves 10 to 12 people.

Photo from A YEAR OF IOWA NATURE, by Carl Kurtz

Need some green today? This photo is of a prairie spiderwort in bloom. See more photos like this one in Carl Kurtz's book, A Year of Iowa Nature: Discovering Where We Live.