As we close in on the holiday season, its tjime to think about food and drink gifts. My Cocktail Pecans are fast and easy and will keep for a few weeks in a tightly sealed jar or tin. And pecans are good for you!

Cocktail Pecans from the Steel's

4 cups pecan halves
1/4 cup butter (melted)
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon Jane,s Crazy Salt
11/2 teaspoons worcestshire sauce

Combine all and coat the pecans. Spread on a cookie sheet and bake at 200 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool and pack in airtight containers..

This is from my friend, Judith Choate, award-winning cookbook author and chef. It comes from her cookbook, HOMEMADE. I have substituted agave syrup for the sugar, making it diabetic friendly and lower in calories.

Coffee Liqueur;

Utensils needed: medium saucepan, heat proof bowl: half gallon non-reactive container Cooking time, ten minutes, infusing time: three weeks

Quantity: 2 quarts

Coffee Liqueur
3 cups agave nectar
2 cups boiling water
1/4 cup instant espresso powder
3/12 cups vodka

1 large vanilla bean split open and cut crosswise into small pieces

Combine espresso powder with one cup of boiling water, stirring to disolve. Add agave nectar,vodka and vanilla bean and pour into non-reative container and set aside to infuse for therr weeks Pour into two 1 quart bottles ,cap and store in a cool,dark spot.

And this is for the cook!

Classic Margarita- from DELICIOUS MEETS NUTRITIOUS , By Stephen Richards of Better Body Foods and Nutrition LLC, ( This is a great cookbook using Xagave agave nectar for sweetening.)

Ingredients:

3 oz. tequila
1 oz. Cointreau or Triple Sec
1 Tbsp Agave nectar
3 oz. fresh lime juice
sea salt or lime wedges for garnish

Fill a large cocktail shaker with ice. Add the ingredients and shake vigorously. Serve in chilled glasses with or without salted rims and garnish with lime slices. Makes two drinks.

Next time I am sending three Pulled Pork recipes. I discovered that pork roasts are very economical- At my supermarket, $1.39 a pound . They are lean and nutritious. and very good in slow cooking recipes.