Buffalo Chicken Dip

1 8oz. pack of softened cream cheese

1/2 cup of Franks hot sauce

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked and shredded

1/2 blue cheese dressing

1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Mix all ingredient

Place in a greased baking dish

Bake for 30  minutes

Serve with vegetables, crackers or tortilla chips

Enjoy!!

Shrimp Butter

This is a passed down family spread.

My Aunt Kimmy gave to me.

Are you noticing that I have a lot of Aunts yet!?  And their names end in y or ie?

Just a thing we called them as kids and it stuck.

I'm not sure where exactly this started but we got it from my second aunt (my aunts aunt) GeorgieAnn.

It is called Shrimp Butter.

You will need the following

8oz. of softened cream cheese

4 tbsp.. of Mayonnaise

1 1/2 sticks of softened butter

1 tbsp. of minced onion

Salt to taste

2 cans of small baby shrimp

Mix all ingredients with an electric mixer or food processor, add shrimp last

Serve spread on a baguette or on crackers

This also freezes well



Sorry I do not have a picture of this

I have had this several times, amazingly good!

Seasoned Sour Cream

Ok ok I know Seasoned Sour Cream is not an appetizer :)

When I order a burger or a sandwich at a restaurant, I love to order waffle fries with seasoned sour cream.

So years ago I was having a football party I made Buffalo chicken sandwiches and waffle fries and served them with seasoned sour cream.

Well first I had to figure out how to make it.

I copied as close as I could get to it and I think I got pretty close!

You will need:

1 cup of sour cream
3/4 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp seasoned salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp milk
2 green onions chopped

Mix all, chill and serve with your fries!

Chilled Crab Dip

Here is a bit of a different Crab Dip.
The ones I usually have are a warm dip but this one is chilled.
Still pretty good!

3 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
3 tbsp mayo
1 small onion grated
1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
3/4 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
8 oz shredded crab
Mix all, chill
Serve with your favorite crackers, I hope you enjoy!

Stuffed Cheese Bread

My Aunt Susie gave me this one & I make it a lot for guests & bring it to party's, everyone loves it!

1 loaf of unsliced Italian bread or any round loaf of bread

Softened Butter

1 package of bacon bits or I have used chopped pepperoni

1 small chopped onion

Garlic salt to taste

1 bag of shredded cheddar cheddar cheese

Green and red peppers

1 small 6 oz can of mushrooms

1 small can of sliced black olives

You can totally be creative and put so many things in this !

You can add ingredients to your liking

Criss cross slice the loaf of bread deep but not cutting the bottom of the loaf

First put butter into the loaf then stuff ingredients into all spaces.

Wrap in foil

Bake a 375 for 30 minutes

Home Made Cheese Crackers

If you have not noticed yet I LOVE cheese.

I bet I have said that  before haven't I??

This is my Grandma's sister's recipe, we call her Auntie Margaret.

I love them, especially with nuts!

I hope you like them too!

This is what you will need:

1 stick of softened butter

8 oz sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup + 2 tbsp of flour

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp salt

Halved Pecans are optional


Directions are:

Cream butter and cheese.

Mix in spices, flour, roll into small balls.

Place a sheet of wax paper on a plate.

Put balls on sheet place another sheet of wax paper on top and gently press balls down with fingers or a fork.

Place into fridge to chill for 20 minutes.

Place crackers on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 400 for 10 minutes

Press halved pecan into cracker balls before baking if you would like crackers with nuts.
 

Won ton Crab Cups

I have had this recipe for a long time now and finally got around to making these.

I don't know what I was waiting for they were great!

Here is what you will need:

15 won ton wraps

1 softened block of cream cheese

3 chopped green onions

1/3 tsp garlic salt

1/3 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp soy sauce

1/2 cup flaked imitation crab

1/3 cup parmesan cheese

Chives to top

Mix all but chives

Grease muffin tins

Place won ton wraps in them

Bake at 350 for 8 minutes

Fill with crab mixture

Bake another 10 minutes

Top with chives

Serve warm & with sweet & sour sauce.

They are so attractive, I hope you enjoy them!

Curried Walnuts

Nothing wrong with a spicy nut!

Great snack, something a little different to serve, maybe set out in a bowl while watching football.

You're going to need:

2 cups of walnuts

1 tbs + 1tsp of sugar

3/4 tsp curry powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tbsp butter

Now do this:

Place nuts in a microwave safe bowl, cook for 8 minutes, stirring once.

Stir together all ingredients in a sauce pan.

Heat over medium heat.

Whisk constantly until butter is melted.

Add nuts cook for one minute.

Cool for 10 minutes, enjoy!

BLT Dip

This dip just screams summer, very fresh!

Here is what your gonna need kids!


12 slices of bacon, crumbled
1 1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 large tomato chopped
1 cup of shredded lettuce

Save a little bacon & tomatoes to top

Mix the first 6 ingredients in a low serving dish.
Refrigerate for 4 hours.
Top with lettuce and chopped tomato.
Serve with tortilla chips, baguettes, crackers or veggies!


Hope you love it!

Peperoncini Roll-Ups

I love to search on YouTube for new recipes.
I found this one last year & brought it to Christmas Eve at my sisters.
We usually have a different version of this but this one is the Italian version (well at least that is what the gal on YouTube said)
This was a hit, and you can't have just one!

Not much to it, this is what you need.

2 packs of Buddig Beef (name brand of lunch meat)
1 softened block cream cheese
Mustard
1 jar of peperoncini's
Toothpicks

Drain the jar of peperoncini's cut the tops off
Spread the Cream cheese on the meat slices
Spread mustard on top of the cream cheese
Lay a peperoncini's in the meat & spread roll it up & secure it with a toothpick.

Enjoy!

Smokey Cheese Log

I like to make this during the holidays.
You can make this into so many different shapes.
The easiest is shaping into a log.
But, if the creative bug hits you try one of these, a wreath or a snowman are a couple I have made.

Here is what you are going to need:

2 blocks of cream cheese softened
2 cups of shredded Monterrey jack cheese
1 cup of bacon bits
 5 tbs of chopped chives
4 green onions chopped
 2 tbs of Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. liquid smoke
1 cup of real bacon bits
1 cup of toasted sesame seeds
3 tsp of chopped chives

Mix all ingredients except the last 3
Roll all onto a log shape place on serving plate
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours
Top evenly with the last 3 ingredients
Serve with your favorite crackers or veggies.

If making a wreath I have used a green pepper or pimentos for a bow.
Making a snowman? Use pretzel sticks for the arms, cut black olives for buttons or eyes.
Get creative!

Taco Roll-Ups

The first time I had these bad boys was at my last baby shower.
My Aunt Gerry brought them.
And I LOVED them,  I wanted to eat them all !
Well I was pregnant so I can eat more, right??

Here is what you are going to need:

16 oz Sour Cream
8 oz softened cream cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican shredded cheese
1 4oz can green chilies
1 4oz can chopped black olives
6oz taco seasoning (packet)
1 to 2 packages of soft tortilla shells (smaller size)

Mix sour cream, cheeses, chilies, olives and seasoning.
Spread onto tortillas.
Roll tight and slice into 1inch wide circles.
Serve with salsa

Clam-ups

I got this one from my Mama (a.k.a. Mom)
This is like a fancy red-neck appetizer

Here is what you need:

6 1/2 oz of minced clams (you can get these in the can)
2 tbs diced onion
5 tbs butter
3 1/2 tsp flour
1/2 tsp horseradish
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
a dash of salt
9 slices of white bread, crusts removed
Paprika, to sprinkle

Heat oven to 425 degrees
Drain clams, reserve liquid set aside
Saute onion in 1 tbs of butter until tender
Stir in flour on low till blended.
Gradually add horseradish, garlic power, Worcestershire sauce, salt and clam juice. Bring to a boil on medium heat.
Stir for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and add clams.
Flatten bread with a rolling pin.
Melt remaining butter, brush one side of each slice of bread.
Spread with clam mixture and roll up.
Brush with remaining butter and sprinkle with paprika.
Cut each roll into thirds.
Place on greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 5 to 8 minutes until lightly brown.
Makes approximately 27

I gotta say these are pretty good, considering the name I didn't think I would like these fellas.  Give it a try!

Mediterranean Cruise Cafe Review

One of my all time favorite restaurants is www.medcruisecafe.com in Burnsville, MN
It's a Greek restaurant.  The best hummus & tzatziki!
Actually everything I have had there is awesome!
My husband also loves this place. 
Maybe its the beautiful belly dancers? 

I hear they also have salsa night, buffet specials and DJ nights to name a few but we have not been there yet for those events.
It's very beautiful there and always clean.
This is a family owned & run business, everyone is so friendly there.
On their patio they have hookah, a hookah is a smoking flavored tobacco that passes through a water basin.  I totally recommend going there if you're in town!

Fried Pickles

Today I was at a county fair & we ordered fried pickles.
That is one of my youngest child's favorites things to order when we go out to dinner.
He's like a territorial dog and guards them while staring you down if you take one.
We have only made these twice at home but they are oh so good!

Ingredients are:

1/2 cup of buttermilk
salt to taste
1 16 oz. jar of sliced pickle chips
1/2 cup of flour
1 1/2 cups of cornmeal
2 tsp. of Cajun seasoning, I like to use Tony's Creole Seasoning
Oil for frying

How to make them:

Have a plate with a paper towel ready for the pickles to drain off the oil ready.
Heat oil in a deep fryer or a deep skillet

Mix in a bowl buttermilk, salt, 1 tsp. of Cajun seasoning
In another bowl mix flour, cornmeal & the other tsp. of the Cajun seasoning

Dip pickles one by one in wet mixture then dry mixture
Then place in frying pan
Fry until golden brown
Remove with tongs or scooper place onto plate with paper towel

We use ranch dressing for dipping. 

Hummus

Well who doesn't know how to make hummus!?
I think everyone has their own recipe for this.
But, here is mine, quick & easy.

Ingredients are:

2 cans of chickpeas rinsed
4 tablespoons of Tahini
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
4-5 tablespoons of olive oil
5-6 chopped garlic cloves
1 tsp. of salt

Put all of your ingredients in a food processor.
Process until smooth.
At this point I taste test it, you may find that you want to adjust it say add more salt etc...
Follow your taste buds!

I have served this with several different things from Gyros, pita bread, pita chips, vegetables, or even crackers!

Hope you enjoy it!

Hot or Cold Dip

I used to make this all the time!
 Family always requested this and the fun thing about it is you can serve it hot or cold.

Here's what you need

1 8 oz package of cream cheese

2 tbls of milk

4 tbls of chopped onion (whatever kind you like)

2 tbls green pepper

1/8 tsp pepper

½ cup of sour cream

¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese

¼ cup of chopped walnuts

3 oz chopped dried beef, I use Budding

2 tbsp chopped green olives

1 tsp. of Worcestershire sauce

Sometimes I adjust amounts of everything depends on what I'm craving that day. Blend all ingredient except the walnuts.

When I make a large batch of this I add walnuts in the dip and on top.

If you would like to serve cold top with walnuts place in fridge to chill

To serve hot place in small baking dish top with walnuts bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes

Use your favorite crackers to scoop it up!

Smoked Salmon Spread

How easy is this spread!

Mix all ingredients below

4oz of smoked salmon, d-boned, you can get this in a can or fresh is best
8oz of softened cream cheese
1/3 cup of sour cream
1 tbsp of A-1 steak sauce

Chill for one hour
Serve with your favorite crackers or baguettes

Nummy!

Family Reunion Cheese Ball

Ok I kinda need to work on the name of this one but that's where I tried this for the first time.

Here is what you need.

2 8 oz softened cream cheese blocks
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 Tbs chopped green onions
8 oz crushed pineapple (drained)
1 Tbs of Alpine Touch seasoning
1 cup of chopped pecans

Mix all but nuts.
Roll into a ball then roll in nuts.
Chill until ready to serve and serve with your favorite crackers.

Uncle Bob's Con Queso Dip

My Uncle Bob used to work at Chi Chi's.  I loved that place! Then they had to close dang-it!
Well enough ranting.
Uncle Bob shared their Con Queso dip recipe with me, super simple!

1lb block of Velveeta
1 4oz can of diced green chilies
1 4oz can of diced jalapeno peppers
1 4oz jar of pimentos
A generous dash of garlic powder

This recipe will be done in a crock-pot
2 Tbs of milk
Dice the block of Velveeta cheese and add to crock-pot
add the remaining ingredients.
Set on low and cook for 2 hours while stirring periodically
Serve with tortilla chips
Great for Football parties.

Fried Green Tomatoes

My Friend Daryl shared this wonderful southern recipe with me so I wanted to share it with you.  Ok maybe this is not a appetizer but its so wonderful!

Here's how you make them

Sauce includes
1 medium red pepper
olive oil
1/2 cup of sour cream
1 clove of garlic
wash red pepper, cut in half rub with olive oil. Place on tin foil on baking sheet. Broil till the pepper starts to turn black. Remove the outer skin of the pepper.

Place pepper in food processor adding in sour cream and garlic blend till smooth. Chilli till ready to serve.


Cornmeal batter includes
1 cup cornmeal
1/3 cup of flour
1 1/2 tablespoon of Cajun Seasoning
 Mix well in a bowl

Wet Mix includes
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 egg
Mix well in a bowl

Slice 4 to 5 large green tomatoes

Dip tomatoes in wet mix then the dry mix

In a pot of heated Canola Oil (or whatever you usually fry in) fry tomatoes till brown.

Place to drain on a paper towel.

Drizzle with the red pepper sauce and top with crumbled goat cheese.

These are SO good!

Enjoy!

Tuscan Cream Cheese Spread

I love cream cheese!  Heck I love cheese period!  I'm an addict!

So this dip is really good, but I would suggest not kissing anyone for awhile you get some real kickin' breath from eating it!

Here are your ingredients:

2 packs of softened cream cheese
1 tsp. fresh garlic chopped
1 tsp. salt
1 14 oz. can of drained & chopped artichoke hearts
1/3 cup of chopped black olives
3 oz. of chopped sun dried tomatoes
1/4 cup of chopped parsley
1tsp. chopped chives

Mix all, place into a bowl of your liking, or maybe roll into a ball.
Be creative!
Chill for at least 3 hours and serve!

Super Simple Stuffed Mushrooms

Love these easy mushrooms, easy to whip up for a party.

What you will need is..
2 packages of mushrooms washed, dried & remove the center stems.
1 block of softened cream cheese
1 3oz. bag of real bacon bits

Mix the cream cheese & bacon bits.
Spoon mixture into the center of the mushrooms.

Place on a microwaveable plate.
Microwave for 3-4 minutes or until warm.

Enjoy!