Showing posts with label Appetizers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Appetizers. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Pampered Chef- Avacado Salsa Cups


I made this appetizer for my first Pampered Chef party.   Actually, I made Mr. make the recipe because I was too busy preparing for the party! Anyhow, they were so easy and my guests loved them.  One of my favorite Pampered Chef products is the Mini Muffin Pan.  I use mine all the time and always make one recipe at each party using it.  It's a top 5 in my kitchen.  From bite sized appetizers to desserts, you can't go wrong.  To order one, visit my site. Make sure to add this recipe to your fall football party list! 


Avocado Salsa Cups 

Tortilla Cups

6 (11-in./28-cm) flour tortillas
1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil

Avocado Filling

2 small plum tomatoes
2 small avocados
2 tbsp (30 mL) chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp (30 mL) lime juice
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
1/2 cup (125 mL) sour cream
Additional chopped fresh cilantro (optional)



Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). For cups, using Pizza Cutter, trim tortillas to form six 6-in. (15-cm) squares. Cut each square into quarters for a total of twenty-four 3-in. (7.5-cm) squares. Make a 1-in. (2.5-cm) cut from each corner toward the center of each square. Brush both sides of each square with oil using Chef's Silicone Basting Brush. Press squares into bottom of Deluxe Mini-Muffin Pan using Mini-Tart Shaper. Bake 8-10 minutes or until crisp. Remove from oven.

For filling, core and seed tomatoes. Finely dice tomatoes and avocados using Utility Knife. Chop cilantro with Food Chopper. Combine tomatoes, avocados, cilantro, lime juice, garlic pressed with Garlic Press and salt in Classic Batter Bowl.

Fill cups with filling using Easy Adjustable Measuring Spoon. Spoon sour cream into resealable plastic bag; trim corner using Utility Knife to allow sour cream to flow through. Pipe sour cream over avocado mixture. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro, if desired.

Yield: 24 servings





Saturday, August 13, 2011

Skinny Loaded Nachos

I've been following Gina's Skinny recipes for a while now, but this is the first one I've made.  I made this one for the Bucs preseason game last night.  It's a perfect football snack/ dinner.  I made a few changes to the recipe, which I noted below.  Hubs and I put this in the middle of the couch and picked at it during the game.  Next time, we will have to invite friends over because there was tons left over!  Be sure to make this for one of football parties this season.  Go Bucs! 



Ingredients:
  • 4 oz baked tortilla chips (I used Baked Tostitos Scoops) I used a bag
  • 8 oz 99% lean turkey breast 1lb used
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 cup fat free spicy black bean dip mashed black beans and mixed 1tbs. salsa
  • 1 1/3 cup reduced fat Mexican cheese like Weight Watchers
  • 2 cups pico de gallo salsa 1 can of rotel
  • 1/2 cup light sour cream
  • 2/3 cup fresh cilantro

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425°. Place 1 oz (about 14) chips on four oven-proof dishes or one large baking sheet. 


Heat a large nonstick sauté pan over high heat. Add turkey. Season with cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper and sauté until cooked through, breaking up meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon. When cooked, add bean dip and mix well.

Spoon the turkey mixture over the chips and sprinkle the cheese on top. Bake until cheese melts, about 6 minutes.

Remove the nachos from the oven, top with pico de gallo, sour cream, cilantro and jalepeñosServe immediately.


Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Festive Favorite Layered Dip


This was another July 4th appetizer recipe.  I was looking for quick and easy appetizers. Kraft came through again, as usual.  This one took about 10 minutes to make.  It's very similar to the seven layer dips minus the beans and a few other ingredients.  The only change I made was in the sour cream. I used the new chipotle sour cream, which I loved.  It added a little spice to the dip.  



What You Need

1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread
1/2 cup  BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
1/4 cup MIRACLE WHIP Dressing
1 cup  TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
2 cups KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
  tomatoes, chopped
green pepper, finely chopped
  green onions, chopped
RITZ Crackers

Make It




MIX first 3 ingredients; spread onto bottom of shallow 1-1/2-qt. bowl.
TOP with all remaining ingredients except crackers.
SERVE with crackers

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Cheesy Spinach and Bacon Dip


I've said it time and time again, I can live off of appetizers. I'm a grazer, appetizers are perfect for grazing all day or during a party. I made this kraft recipe for our Fourth of July party. Not only was it a simple recipe, but one that didn't need the oven. When hosting a party there are usually so many items that need to be baked. I was able to get more done because this was done in the microwave. Everyone was asking for this recipe.  Definitely a good one for parties.  I'm sure we  will be using it a lot for football season! 



Ingredients
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained
1 lb.  (16 oz.) VELVEETA Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed
1 can  (10 oz.) RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained
8 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, cooked, crumbled

Directions
  
MICROWAVE ingredients in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 5 min. or until VELVEETA is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 3 min.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Warm Bacon Dip

I'm always on the hunt for new appetizers.  I've made tons of tasty appetizers but I don't like to make the same recipe twice.  One day I won't have the time to spend searching for recipes and tasty creations.  But while I do, I'm going to keep on searching and trying new things.  Because when that day when I don't have the time,  I'll have this blog to turn to to find the recipes that were hits in the past.  Make sense? I found this recipe on Kraft Foods.  Who doesn't like bacon in an appetizer?  I knew it would be a crowd pleaser and it definitely didn't disappoint.  I made it at the beach and loved that I didn't have to bring lots of ingredients with me.  I didn't add the green onions b/c my Mister doesn't like them.  Next time I will add them to half of the recipe.    Although it was still a grand slam without! Enjoy!
**I served with Triscuit crackers and Tostitos chips**






Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups Daisy Brand Sour Cream
  • 3 ounces bacon bits
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup chopped green onion

Directions


Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, combine all ingredients. Place the mixture in a 1-quart baking dish. Cover. Heat the dip for 25-30 minutes or until hot. Serve with assorted fresh vegetables, crackers and/or chips. *Serving option: Dip may also be placed in hollowed round sourdough loaf, wrapped in foil and heated in 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.



Sunday, May 1, 2011

Islander Artichoke and Spinach Dip


No party or get together is complete without spinach dip.  I made this one for a bridal shower last month.  This recipe is from King's Hawaiian Rolls,but I found it on All Recipes.com.  Overall, I would rate this a 7.  The guests at the shower loved it and I had to refill 3 times!  But, the last spinach dip I made is still my personal favorite! I served this dip cold.  Enjoy! 


Ingredients

  • 2 (16 ounce) loaves King's Hawaiian® Sweet Bread
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 (1 ounce) package ranch-style dip mix
  • 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
  • 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
  • 1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Carefully hollow 1 loaf, leaving 1-inch on sides and bottoms. Cube removed bread and additional loaf.
  3. Place bowl and cubes on baking sheets and bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
  4. Blend mayo, sour cream and dip; mix together in a large bowl. Add artichoke hearts, spinach and water chestnuts; mix well. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.
  5. Transfer to bread bowl and serve with toasted bread cubes.
  6. To serve hot: Stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; microwave on high 4-5 minutes or until hot, stirring occasionally.
  7. Transfer dip to bread bowl and serve with toasted bread cubes.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Ranch Deviled Eggs

I love me some deviled eggs!  I selfishly add them to every holiday menu and know I'll be the one enjoying them the most.  I may even set some aside before I put them out for the guests/family to enjoy.  This again, was an Easter recipe from Betty Crocker.  We enjoyed the eggs while we were cooking before our pasta course.  I love ranch dip and thought the addition of ranch to the typical deviled eggs recipe was genius! I enjoyed more than I'd like to admit, they were just. that. good.  Please note: I did not add any salt to this recipe and felt it did not need any.  Taste before you add salt.  I also omitted the chives, hubs doesn't like them. 


Ingredients:

12eggs
3teaspoons dry ranch dressing mix (from 1-oz envelope)
1/3cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1teaspoon Dijon mustard
1tablespoon chopped chives


  1. 1In 4-quart saucepan or Dutch oven, place eggs in single layer. Add enough water to cover eggs by 1 inch. Heat to boiling. Immediately remove from heat; cover and let stand 15 minutes. Drain; rinse with cold water. Place eggs in bowl of ice water; let stand 10 minutes.
  2. 2To remove shell, crack it by tapping gently all over; roll between hands to loosen. Peel, starting at large end.
  3. 3Cut eggs lengthwise in half. Into medium bowl, slip out yolks; mash with fork. Stir dressing mix, mayonnaise and mustard into yolks.
  4. 4Spoon or pipe yolk mixture into egg white halves. Sprinkle with chives. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving

Friday, February 25, 2011

Delicious Spinach Dip





Baby Shower Recipe- I love spinach dip.  I usually buy it at the store, I've only made it once from scratch.  I didn't want to do a store bought dip for the baby shower I was throwing.  So, I set out on a search for a spinach dip with great reviews that looked simple to make.  I found the recipe I decided to make at All Recipe.com.   It had lots of great reviews and honestly, I couldn't say no to a recipe titled Best Spinach Dip Ever! And.....after making it.  I have to AGREE!  It's amazing.  Will be the recipe I'll use from here on out for spinach dip.  I'm actually eating it leftover right now.  You've got to try this recipe! 



Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
  • 1 (1.8 ounce) package dry leek soup mix
  • 1 (4 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
  • 1/2 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
  • 1 (1 pound) loaf round sourdough bread

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, dry leek soup mix, water chestnuts and chopped spinach. Chill in the refrigerator 6 hours, or overnight.
  2. Remove top and interior of sourdough bread. Fill with mayonnaise mixture. Tear removed bread chunks into pieces for dipping.

Cheese Ball

Baby Shower Recipe-I had a chip and dip bowl that I didn't want to put dip in, so I decided to go with a cheese ball and crackers.  I found the recipe on Martha Stewart's website.  This was my first cheese ball and it was pretty easy.  I know there are tons of cheese ball variations out there and I'm looking forward to making them.  Enjoy! 


Ingredients





  • 1 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated (about 2 1/2 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Ground pepper
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans

Directions


  1. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat cream cheese with cheddar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a generous pinch of pepper until well combined. Mix in 1/4 cup pecans. Cover cheese mixture with plastic wrap, and chill at least 2 1/2 hours or up to overnight.
  2. Divide the cheese mixture in half, and shape each half into a ball. Spread remaining 3/4 cup pecans on a plate, and roll balls in pecans to coat completely, pressing nuts to adhere. Serve chilled.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Cheese Ball - Martha Stewart Recipes 

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