Refried Dip

This is a simple dip that my mother-in-law whipped up.  Perfect any gathering.

REFRIED BEANS DIP

• 1 large can of refried beans
• 1 cup of salsa
• 1 cup of shredded mexican cheese
• 1/4 cup of chopped onions
• 1 cup of sour cream

*Measurements are approximate

Heat refried beans until until lukewarm.  Stir refried beans and salsa together in a serving tray or bowl.  Add cheese and onions.  Top with sour cream.  Serve with your favorite chip.  Enjoy!

Great Balls of Fire

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A good alternative to meatballs.

GOOD MORNING SAUSAGE BALLS

• 1 pound bulk sausage

• 1 cup fresh bread crumbs

• 1 egg

• 2 teaspoon soy sauce

• ½ cup chopped pecans

• 2 teaspoon cornstarch

Mix ingredients together. Roll into small balls. Pan fry or bake in a 350 degree oven until done. Serve with warm applesauce.

Crunchy Chicken Salad

This great variation to the classic chicken salad will have you wanting more.  You can use this recipe as a sandwich, dip, or on top of of lettuce.

• A 10 ounce can of chunk white chicken
• 1 cup of corn flakes
• 1/2 cup of finely chopped carrots
• 1 cup of mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard

Add ingredients to a bowl and stir thoroughly.  Serve and enjoy!

Sausage Snacks

Are you looking for any easy snack?  Try this one.

• RITZ Crackers
• Sausage (I prefer Hillshire Farm)
• Slices of American cheese

The quantity depends on how much you want to make.  Take your slice of cheese and fold it twice so you have four quarters.  Add the cheese to the cracker.  Cut a small piece of a sausage and place on top of the cheese.  

You can heat on HIGH in the microwave for 30-45 seconds and serve.

The Nitty Gritty

A fantastic dish provided by Jessica Meiczinger of Simply Divine Events .

SHRIMP AND GRITS 

Great Appetizer or main dish

• 1 cup Yellow Grits
• 4 cups of Water
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• Pepper to taste
• ½ a bunch of Green Onion chopped
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1 cup of cheddar cheese shredded
• ½ to 1 bottle of BBQ Sauce 
• A couple dashes of hot sauce 
• 1 ½ pounds of Shrimp: peeled and deveined
• 2-3 tablespoon of olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon of garlic

For the Grits:

Bring 4 cups of water and 1 tsp. of salt to a rapid boil.  Whisk in 1 cup of grits. Cook and stir until boiling.  Cover and reduce heat to low, and continue cooking 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Stir in 1 tablespoon of butter, the chopped green onion  and the cheese.  You might have to add a little salt and pepper to taste.

For the Shrimp:

Heat 2-3 tablespoon of olive oil in a saut'e pan over medium heat.  Add garlic and Shrimp.  Cook until pink.  Add BBQ sauce and hot sauce.

To serve:  Spoon out grits and then top with the shrimp

Nacho Ordinary Appetizer

What doesn't warm your heart like nachos.  That is why I have my favorite chips and extra toppings on hand to make some killer nachos.  All you need are some chips, cheese, salsa, and the rest is up to you.  This weekend go out and get creative.  Enjoy!

Chili Dip

Looking for an easy dip for your Super Bowl party?  This is a great one.


CHUNKY CHILI CHEESE DIP

• 1 can of Campbell's Chunky Chili
• 16 ounces of Velveeta (diced in cubes)

Place both ingredients in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with tortilla chips.

All Choked Up

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Artichokes are usually served with melted garlic butter for dipping.  Here is another option.

STEAMED ARTICHOKES AND DIP

• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1-1/2 tablespoons chopped chives
• 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
• ½ teaspoon salt

In a bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, chives, horseradish and salt; chill.  Serve with steamed artichokes.

To prepare artichokes: Wash and trim stem so artichoke stands upright.  Cut off top quarter of artichoke; if desired, snip tips off remaining petals with kitchen scissors.  Stand prepared artichoke in deep saucepan or pot with 3 inches of boiling water.  Oil, lemon juice, and seasonings may be added to cooking water, if desired.  Cover and boil gently, checking water level occasionally, 25 to 40 minutes depending upon size or until a petal near the center pulls out easily.  May also cook in a steamer or a pressure cooker.

Spare a Spear

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ROASTED ASPARAGUS WRAPPED WITH PROSCIUTTO

• 1 pound asparagus (about 20 stalks)

• Olive oil

• Sea or Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

• 6-8 thin slices of prosciutto

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Snap off tough bottoms of asparagus. Peel asparagus stems with a peeler. Place on a cookie sheet or shallow baking pan. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper over all. Toss well to coat. Roast until asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes. Cool completely. Wrap each stalk with 1 piece of prosciutto (1/2 slice), exposing tips. Serve at room temperature.

Don't Skimp on Shrimp

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A real easy way to prepare shrimp.

ROASTED SHRIMP (for shrimp cocktail)

• 2 pounds raw shrimp (large or extra large, cleaned and with tails on)

• Olive oil

• Sea or Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

• CROSSE AND BLACKWELL COCKTAIL SAUCE

Place shrimp on a cookie sheet or shallow baking pan. Sprinkle lavishly with olive oil, sea or kosher salt and pepper. Mix with your hands to make sure all are coated, then rearrange shrimp. Bake for about 10 minutes until pink and firm (watch carefully). Can be served warm or cold with cocktail sauce.

Cranberry Meatballs

I really enjoy a good meatball.  I have made several variations in the past but this combination that I thought of came out really well.  It is festive as well since cranberries are involved.  Here is the recipe.

CRANBERRY MEATBALLS

• 1 package frozen meatballs
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 14 ounce can cranberry sauce

Add meatballs to a Crock Pot or slow cooker.  Add the remaining ingredients on top of the meatballs.  Cook on High for 3-4 hours.  Enjoy!

You Must Dip It

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This is a different kind of dip that is sure to please.


CRAB DIP


• 1 can minced clams, shrimp, or crab

• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• ¼ teaspoon garlic salt

• 1 tablespoon minced dry onion

• 2 cups cheese (at least ½ cup should be cheddar)



Mix all the above ingredients together. Transfer to a baking dish and top with sliced almonds and parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with crackers or dipping chips.

I Love Bacon

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Can you really have enough bacon?


BACON WRAPPED BREAD


• Pepperidge Farm thin sliced sandwich bread

• Softened cream cheese

• 1 pound bacon, cut in half

• Round toothpicks

Remove crusts from bread and use rolling pin to roll bread slices flat. Cut flattened bread sliced in half. Spread cream cheese on bread halves. Roll bread and wrap with ½ slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 12 minutes.

The Mighty Mini

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You may want to try these sandwiches for your next get together.

MINI REUBENS

Spread pieces of party rye bread on a cookie sheet. Spread margarine or butter on each slice of bread. Cut thinly sliced corned beef into small pieces and spread evenly across bread slices. Put a small amount of sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing on each slice of bread. Top each slice with a small piece of Swiss cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven until cheese melts.

Key Lime Cheeseball Spread

Are you looking for any easy, distinct appetizer for your Memorial Day party?  Try The Key Lime Cheeseball.  The mix is available at Kitchen Dancer and at fine retailers on their website.  This is what you will need:

• 8 oz. of cream cheese
• 2 Tbsp. of butter
• Key Lime Cheeseball package
• Vanilla Wafers

Combine cream cheese, butter, and the Key Lime Cheeseball package.  Add the topping and then serve with vanilla wafers.  It is a tasty recipe that you really like, enjoy.

Mighty Meatballs

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Do you want a great appetizer to make for your Super Bowl party?  All you will need is a Crock Pot and three ingredients:

- 1 large bag of meatballs
- 1 jar (14 ounces) of chili sauce (not chili)
- 1 jar (12 ounces) of grape jelly

Combine ingredients into the Crock Pot and cook on high for approximately for 3 hours. Grab a toothpick and enjoy.

Wrap It Up

A colleague of mine, Mary Martinez Drovie made these excellent morsels to eat a few weeks back.  They are called Bacon Wrapped Weenies.  First off, anything wrapped in bacon is excellent.  What is even better is how easy they are to make.  Here is the recipe.

BACON WRAPPED WEENIES

• 1 pound of maple bacon
• 1 (16 ounce) package of little smokie sausages
• 1 cup of brown sugar
• 1 jar of toothpicks

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Cut the bacon into thirds.  Wrap the weenies with bacon and place a toothpick in them.  Place the finished weenies in a casserole dish.  Pour the brown sugar on top of the weenies.  You can then lay the additional bacon on top of the brown sugar.  Cover the casserole dish.  Bake for 60 minutes.  Place the finished weenies on a plate and enjoy.

Not only does Mary provide great recipes but she is a budding artist.  Visit her Facebook page at Paloma Art Studio.  A website will be available shortly.

Sweet Crunch

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Here is one of many great recipes from my mother, Ann Randall.  This would be perfect for your Super Bowl party.  Let me know what you think.

PRALINE PECAN CRUNCH

• One 16 oz. package QUAKER OAT SQUARES cereal

• 2 cups pecan pieces

• ½ cup light corn syrup

• ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar

• ¼ cup margarine(1/2 stick)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

Heat oven to 250 degrees. Combine cereal and pecans in a 13”x9” pan; set aside. Combine corn syrup, brown sugar and margarine in a 2-cup microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high 1 and ½ minutes; stir. Microwave ½ to 1 and ½ minutes more or until boiling. Stir in vanilla and baking soda and pour over cereal mixture; stir to coat evenly. Bake 1 hour stirring every 20 minutes. Spread on baking sheet to cool; break into pieces. When cool, store in zip-lock bag.

Viva La France

This can also be served at your next get together.

SUMMER FRESH RASPBERRY WALNUT DIP

Ripe raspberries, walnuts, tart currants & cranberries are blended together with elderberry juice and sugar and make a perfect complement to Ile de France Normandie Camembert.  For more information visit Ile de France cheese .  Enjoy!

Pepper Dip

This would be make a great dip for your NFL Playoff party.  Thank you Kari Dittman for the recipe.

CREAM CHEESE AND RED PEPPER JELLY DIP

Pour a jar of Red Pepper Jelly over an 8 oz. block of cream cheese.  Serve with crackers.