..Spicey Black Bean Dip

Ingredients:
1/4 lb. bacon, chopped
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
2 large garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 tbs. chili powder
1 4-oz. can diced green chilies
2 15- to 16-oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 16-oz. can diced, peeled tomatoes, undrained salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method:
1. Cook the bacon in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat until light brown, about 10 minutes.
2. Add the onion and garlic and saute until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add all the remaining ingredients. Simmer until the mixture is thick, stirring frequently, about 12 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper.

Makes 4 servings.

..Sugar Cookies

During the holidays, Amy Dumas, a.k.a. WWE diva and Team Extreme member Lita, sets aside her hurricanranas and moonsaults (her signature wrestling moves), and tries to get down to Atlanta to see her mom. "She cooks a lot," says Dumas. "I would always make Christmas cookies with her. The kind where you'd roll the dough out [and make] Christmas trees and reindeer."

1 cup (250 mL) Butter

1 cup (250 mL) Granulated sugar

1 egg

2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla

2 1/4 cups (550 mL) all-purpose flour

1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder

1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

The perfect dough for festive cookie cut-outs, these cookies can be decorated with colored sugar before baking or decorative icing once they have cooled to room temperature.

In large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture, mixing until smooth. Divide dough into two rounds. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before rolling.

On lightly floured surface, roll out dough, 1 round at a time, to slightly less than 1/4-in. (5-mm) thickness. Using floured cookie cutters, cut out desired shapes. Using a spatula, place cookies about 1 in. (2.5 cm) apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake in 350°F (180°C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are lightly golden underneath.

Makes about 40 cookies, 2 1/2 in. (6.5 cm) in diameter