I do make the dressing the night before and love the white wine vinegar in it. Put it all in a jar, shake it, then do as well, right before pouring over the slaw. My son, now asks, when he comes to dinner, if I have the AK slaw. He really enjoys it, and he's not a slaw eater.

Yes, on the beans making it thicker. I have a baked white chicken chili and it's done in one of those baking bags. You squish half of the beans with your hands, and the beans inside the bag, before adding the rest then baking it. It's good thickener (if you do want it that way). I find myself doubling up on cumin and chili in these recipes. It's never really hot enough for me, but then, I like jalapenos on my burger when I eat one. Dollop of sour cream and monterey jack cheese on my white chicken chili, please! Not healthy, but surely tasty.

Here's the recipe: Pistachio Cranberry Icebox Cookies. 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon table salt 1-1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest 1/2 cup unsalted pistachios, shells discarded 1/3 cup dried cranberries 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1/4 cup coarse decorative sugar In a medium-size bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, and salt. In the bowl of a standing or electric mixer, cream butter, sugar, and zest until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and gradually add flour mixture until dough comes together in clumps. Add pistachios and cranberries. Gather and press dough together. Cut dough in half and place each half on a sheet of waxed paper. Form each half into a log about 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Square off each log to form a bar (pressing two rulers along the length of the dough is helpful), and wrap each bar in waxed paper. Chill until very firm, at least 2 hours. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 350�. Meanwhile, line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, beat egg. Brush egg over logs on all sides. Place coarse sugar on a separate sheet of waxed paper. Roll bars in sugar, coating well. Cut each bar crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices, rotating bar after cutting each slice to keep square shape. (If dough is too soft to slice, freeze briefly until firm.) Arrange cookies about a half inch apart on lined baking sheets. Bake 15-18 minutes. Transfer cookies from parchment to racks and cool completely before serving

Thanks for asking, Rhonda! Haven't heard much from him since he came home to be in friend's wedding. He'll still be in Hawaii. Seems to have settled down and enjoying it more there with friends he's made. Loves to cook, as he cooked Thanksgiving. Guess that is what he will be doing this Christmas. Have several pkgs in the mail for him. He won't be home until end of the summer, 2018, and will have one more year in Hawaii, before he is stationed elsewhere. PJR, groomsman in wedding. Not my baby anymore :o)