"I made this recipe as directed (except I used boneless chicken breasts - perhaps the reason for somewhat less flavor to the chicken), but my family was not crazy about chicken tacos, preferring beef. So I had all of this chicken left over and the really tasty cooking liquid - sure didn't want to waste all that goodness. So I threw the chicken back in the broth, added some more chicken broth, black beans and corn, and WOW - suddenly the best chicken tortilla soup you could ask for. Just crumble some crispy tortilla chips on top and serve with a salad for a terrific meal.

"This is my husband's favorite Christmas cookie. He paces around the kitchen wondering when they will be ready and usually burns his mouth on the hot filling because he won't wait for them to cool. Instead of the raspberry jam I make a compote with dried cherries and add a little cinnamon and cardamom for that holiday flavor. Always a hit.

"These nuts are wonderfully easy to make - one adjustment I made was to lay the nuts out on a cookie sheet and toast them in the oven instead of in the skillet on the stove. I think they toasted more evenly that way. While they toasted I melted the butter in the skillet and got all the other ingredients measured and ready. Finished the preparation as directed and they are great. I made 4 batches one after another and have filled gift jars for the holidays with very little work or mess. Definitely a keeper.

"These nuts are wonderfully easy to make - one adjustment I made was to lay the nuts out on a cookie sheet and toast them in the oven instead of in the skillet on the stove. I think they toasted more evenly that way. While they toasted I melted the butter in the skillet and got all the other ingredients measured and ready. Finished the preparation as directed and they are great. I made 4 batches one after another and have filled gift jars for the holidays with very little work or mess. Definitely a keeper.