Cheddar bacon dip in bread

 

I love dips and this did not disappoint.  It looks pretty in the the hollowed out bread too.

 

I did not put any ham in this.  Only the bacon.

It would beep great for a Super Bowl party. 

 

 oz. sour cream
8 oz. cream cheese
16 oz. cheddar cheese, grated (sharp or mild)
4 oz. chopped green chilies
Green onion (suit your own taste)
1 c. chopped ham
1/2 pound chopped bacon
1 round bread loaf, hollowed outMix first seven ingredients together and put into the hollowed out bread loaf. Bake at 350 degrees uncovered for one hour. Serve with leftover bread or chips…

Oven toasted Ravioli

Sometimes I don't feel like cooking.  On those days the kids usually get pierogis or raviolis.  Recently it was raviolis but I just didn't want them.  Then I remember I pinned this recipe and so I thought I  would try it to "liven" up my raviolis.

Recipe:

12 round frozen ravioli, thawed
1 egg
1 Tbsp milk
6 Tbps Italian bread crumbs
2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Whisk together egg and milk in shallow bowl.  In another bowl or pie plate, combine bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.  Dip ravioli in egg and then in bread crumbs.  Place on baking sheet.  Repeat until all ravioli are coated.  Spray ravioli with cooking spray.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve with warm marinara or pesto.

from plainchicken.comvio

Charleston Cheese Dip

Lots of cheese and bacon... what is not  to love?  This was another hit from our Memorial Day picnic.

Ingredients:
1/2 - cup mayonnaise
1 - 8oz package cream cheese, softened
1 - cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 - cup grated Monterey jack cheese
2 - green onions, finely chopped
Dash of cayenne pepper
8 - Ritz crackers, crushed
8 - slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix the mayonnaise, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese, green onions and cayenne pepper.

Transfer the mixture to a shallow baking dish.Top mixture with cracker crumbs and bake for 15 minutes, or until heated through.

Remove the pan from the oven and top with the bacon. Serve immediately with corn chips, bagel chips or crackers.

http://www.mommyskitchen.net/2011/01/charleston-cheese-dip-potluck-sunday.html

Salsa

I grew up a picky eater.  Until I graduated from college I would never even try salsa. Too may chunks of onion, pepper, tomatoes. Gross.

Now I love it and have been wanting it all of the time. I still don't like it too chunky. This recipe was perfect for me. You can pulse it In The food processor or blender to get it as smooth or chunky as you like.

Tip:  I put the seeds from the jalepeno in the salsa to make it spicy. Just omit the seeds or some of them to make it less spicy.

Ingredients

• 1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice
• 2 cans (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced Tomatoes And Green Chilies)
• 1/4 cup Chopped Onion
• 1 clove Garlic, Minced
• 1 whole Jalapeno, Quartered And Sliced Thin
• 1/4 teaspoon Sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1/2 cup Cilantro (more To Taste!)
• 1/2 whole Lime Juice

Preparation Instructions

Note: this is a very large batch. Recommend using a 12-cup food processor, or you can process the ingredients in batches and then mix everything together in a large mixing bowl.
Combine whole tomatoes, Rotel, onion, jalapeno, garlic, sugar, salt, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you'd like---I do about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.
Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour. Serve with tortilla chips or cheese nachos.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/01/restaurant-style-salsa/

Fruit Salsa

Another pinterest find.  This was a hit at our Memorial Day Picnic.  I served it with Stacys Cinnamon pita chips.  I wasn't going to try to make my own. I also had home made strawberry Jelly from our trip to Ohiopyle so I used that in it.

Ingredients:

for the fruit salsa:
2 kiwis, peeled and diced
2 Golden Delicious apples – peeled, cored and diced
8 oz raspberries
1 (16 oz) carton of strawberries, diced
2 tbsp white sugar
1 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp fruit preserves, any flavor (I used strawberry; would only use 2 tbsp next time)

Instructions:

1.  In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar, and fruit preserves.  Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes

http://thethreadaffect.com/2012/06/30/fruit-salsa-with-baked-cinnamon-chips/

baked fontina

I love cheesy dips.  I have had this one pinned for awhile now and finally got around to making it.  It did not disappoint. 

I followed the directions but used less olive oil.  There was still oil left in the pan that had such great flavor ad was perfect to dip bread in just like at a restaraunt.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds Italian Fontina Val d'Aosta cheese, rind removed and 1-inch-diced
1/4 cup good olive oil
6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 crusty French baguette

Directions

Preheat the broiler and position the oven rack 5 inches from the heat.

Distribute the cubes of Fontina evenly in a 12-inch cast-iron pan. Drizzle on the olive oil. Combine the garlic, thyme, and rosemary and sprinkle it over the cheese and olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper and place the pan under the broiler for 6 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling and starts to brown.

Serve the baked Fontina family-style-right out of the oven in the cast-iron pan with crusty chunks of bread for everyone to dip

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/baked-fontina-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

Easy pepperoni rolls

We make pepperoni buns from scratch. I will have to post the recipe one day.
When we drive to west virginia we stop and get a bag of fresh pepperoni rolls. 

Here is a quick version that we made for Amelia's birthday party. Quick, simple, and yummy.

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 4 cheese sticks, halved
• 1 (3.5 ounce) package sliced pepperoni
• optional - marinara or ranch sauce for dipping 
•  
Garlic Butter Glaze:
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasonings
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Take each triangle of crencent roll dough and place about 6 pepperoni on the bottom of the triangle. Place half of a cheese stick on top and roll up. Place seam side down on a cookie sheet and bake for 10-14 minutes or until golden brown.
3. While rolls are cooking, combine the melted butter, Italian seasonings, garlic powder and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
4. When rolls are done remove from the oven and brush with the garlic butter glaze.

Tomatillo salsa

I like Mexican food. We have lots of local places that we have been trying out. It seems like I usually get a meal that has green / verde sauce. Yummy!  Here is a simple version that I made at home.

Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh tomatillos
• 1 large Spanish onion (about 12 ounces), cut into large chunks (about 3 cups)
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 packed cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves
• 1/2 jalapeno (seeds and all if you like heat)
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• Kosher or fine sea salt

Directions

Pull the husks from the tomatillos and wash them under cool water until they no longer feel sticky. Cut them into quarters and put them into the work bowl of a food processor. Add the onion and garlic and process until smooth. Add the cilantro, jalapeno and lime juice and process until the jalapeno is finely chopped.
Scrape the mixture into a small saucepan. Season lightly with salt and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is boiled off and the salsa looks relish-y, about 15 minutes. Cool before using. The sauce can be refrigerated for up to 1 week. If refrigerated, you may want to add a little salt and/or lime juice to the salsa before serving.
 

From:  Daisy Martinez/food network

Swiss Dip

This is one of my favorite dips.  My mom got it from a small cookbook and it is a family favorite.  It gets devoured every time.  Make it for your next party.

I have never seen this recipe anywhere else.  I have looked online several times.  So enjoy our family recipe.  It is addicting.

Swiss Dip:
1 8 oz cream cheese softened
1/2 cup mayo
1 1/2 cup swiss cheese (shredded)
slivered almonds (optional)

Mix first three and put in casserole dish (add almonds to top if you like)
Bake 350 for 20-30 minutes.
Serve with savory crackers or chips

Creamy Baked Chicken Tacquitos

These tacquitos were delicious.  They could be an appetizer at a party or have for a meal.  I actually made them ahead of time and froze them since I am so busy with soccer.  It is great to just pull them out and pop in the oven for a quick little meal or snack.  I also served them with avocado dip.  Yummy!

Recipe:
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup green salsa
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice (juice from half a lime)
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tbsp chopped cilantro  ( I didn't have any of this)
2 Tbsp sliced green onions (I didn't use these either)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 cup shredded Mexican flavored cheesesmall flour or corn tortillas
kosher salt
cooking spray

Preheat your oven to 425˚F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, salsa, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, onion powder and garlic. Once combined, stir in the cilantro and green onions. Add the chicken and cheese; mix thoroughly.
(If you decided to prep this in advance, refrigerate the mixture at this point until ready to continue.)
Working with a few tortillas at a time, heat them in the microwave between two paper towels until they are soft enough to roll (about 20 – 30 seconds).
Spoon 2-3 Tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto the lower third of a tortilla. Roll the tortilla as tightly as you can.
Place the rolled tortilla seam side down on the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas until the mixture is gone.
Make sure the taquitos are not touching each other.
Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with kosher salt.Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until crisp and golden.
Serve with salsa, sour cream or guacamole.

Recipe from:  http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/02/baked-creamy-chicken-taquitos/

Super Bowl Menu...pepperoni dip

What is on your menu for the Super Bowl? We always have to have Buffalo Chicken Dip and my mom's swiss dip (which I need to post one day). We love dips. My mom is making the sausage and cheese dip that a lot of people make.

My sister is making tacos and these chicken tacos so everyone can just eat when they want.

I am taking Pepperoni dip. I got this recipe when I worked at Aetna (I so do not miss that job). A lady brought it in for a food day. It sounds so gross but is so yummy. Of course it is bad for you. What dip isn't?



I remember making this once and Kent Low eating almost the entire thing. Its addicting.

Recipe:
2 packages of cream cheese (softened)
1 small container of sour cream (around a cup or so)
one stick of pepperoni chopped small
french fried onions

Mix 1st 3 ingredients in casserole dish. Top with fried onions
Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes.
Serve with buttery crackers or tortilla chips

Buffalo chicken dip

Everyone loves buffalo chicken dip. It is always gobbled up at every party. We had it twice just the weekend at a birthday party and then my labor day picnic. There are tons of different ways to make it but here is how I make mine.

Ingredients

* 1 (10 ounce) can chunk chicken, drained (I just use cooked chicken breasts)
* 1 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
* 1/2 cup Ranch dressing
* 1/2 cup and 1/8 cup hot sauce ( I only use franks)
* 3/4 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)

Mix all ingredients together (saving most of the cheddar cheese to bake on top). Top with rest of cheddar. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Serve with chips or crackers.



Adapted from this recipe:dip and a few others

Pizza Dip

I haven't been cooking much. Hayden and I had dinner at one of our favorite pizza places Burgh's last night. If you haven't been its yummy. They have a great lunch buffet too.

So anyways I thought I would post a recipe for pizza dip. It is nothing special but most everyone likes it. When Mike and I were younger we sometimes had this for dinner. Shame!

Ingredients:
* 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
* 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
* 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
* 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
* 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 cup pizza sauce
In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, oregano, parsley, and basil.
Spread mixture in the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate, or a shallow microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese on top of the cream cheese mixture. Spread the pizza sauce over all. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, and add any toppings you may like.

Heat in the microwave, covered for 5 minutes. Serve with chips, crackers, warm bread, or breadsticks.

Savory Parmesan Bites

I have had this recipe for ever. It is a good appetizer but I mainly serve it with a chicken dish or pasta dish. It is another easy one.

Ingredients:

1 pkg. (8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
2 cans (8 oz. each) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

Directions:
HEAT oven to 350°F.

BEAT cream cheese and 3/4 cup Parmesan with mixer until well blended.

SEPARATE dough into 8 rectangles; seal seams. Spread with cream cheese mixture
Fold each rectangle lengthwise into thirds to enclose filling; cut into 4 squares. Place, seam-sides down, on baking sheet; top with remaining Parmesan.

recipe from here

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball

I was looking for something different to take for an office food day. Its always the same old food. I spent a lot of time on allrecipes.com searching for something and stumbled upon this. It is more dessert like but can be used as an appetizer. It is kind of like eating cookie dough (but no risk of salmonella). My office full of women loved it.

Here is the recipe:
Ingredients:
* 1 pkg. 8oz. cream cheese (for a healthier version you can use low-fat)
* 1/2 cup butter
* 1/4 tsp. vanilla
* 2 Tbs. brown sugar
* 3/4 cup confectioners sugar
* 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
* 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans (optional...I usually leave them out)

Directions:

Bring cream cheese to room temperature or microwave on 50% power for approximately one minute to soften. Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until creamy. Slowly add sugars until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon batter into your favorite serving dish and sprinkle with pecans (if you are using them, if not, just sprinkle a few chips on top for a lovely presentation). You can also form into a ball by chilling the cheese ball for 15 minutes in the fridge before gently forming into a ball and rolling in pecans and/or chocolate chips.

Serve with assorted graham crackers .

Original Recipe here