Clementine Cosmos

3 clementines, plus 1 very thinly sliced for garnish
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2/3 cup cranberry juice
1/3 cup lime juice
1 ½ cups vanilla flavored vodka (Grey Goose)

Cut clementines into quarters and squeeze their juice into a saucepan. Add the sugar, water and clementine flesh and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes. Pour into a strainer set over a measuring cup, pressing on the solids to remove as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids, cool the liquid to room temperature and pour into a pitcher. Add the cranberry juice, lime juice and vodka and stir well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

To serve, pour the mixture into an ice filled cocktail shaker and shake until very cold. Pour into the chilled martini glasses and garnish with a clementine slice.

Spicy Feta Dip

½ # feta cheese (about 1- 1 1/2 cups)
4 Tbls. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbs. chopped pepperoncini chile peppers
2 Tbls. lemon juice
2 Tbls. chopped fresh oregano
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
1-2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

Using a fork or potato masher, mash together the feta and olive oil until smooth and creamy.

Add pepperoncini, lemon juice, oregano, pepper flakes, garlic and thyme. Mash to combine. Serve dip with pita toasts or fresh vegetables.