Queso to Die For!

I have to publish this queso recipe so I can make it the next time we have a party! It looks so good!

1 block (32 oz.) Velveeta Cheese
1 package (8 oz.) Cream Cheese
1 can RoTel tomatoes with green chilies
1 can Cream of mushroom soup
1 lb. ground beef or sausage (or a combination of both)
1 green onion

Brown meat over medium heat then set aside. Cut up Velveeta and cream cheese into cubes and place into crockpot set on low setting. Pour in RoTel and mushroom soup, stir together. After about 30 minutes, add the meat and allow to continue cooking until melted and warm.

Homemade Granola

It's a beautiful spring day today! It makes me want to go hiking! Here is a great recipe for Homemade Granola that will provide good nutritious energy throughout your adventures! From my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook.

2 cups regular rolled oats
1 cup coarsely chopped slivered or sliced almonds, chopped walnuts or chopped peanuts
1/2 cup coconut (optional)
1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds
1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
1/2 cup honey or maple-flavored syrup
2 TBSP. cooking oil

In large bowl combine the oats, nuts, coconut, sunflower seeds and wheat germ. Stir together the honey and cooking oil. Stir into oat mixture. Spread evenly in a greased baking pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 30-35 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring after 20 minutes.

Spread on large piece of foil to cool. Break into clumps. Store in airtight container for up to one week, or store in freezer bags and freeze for up to 2 months.

VARIATIONS: Stir in dried fruit of your choice (raisins, dates, apricots, cranberries, cherries, banana slices) immediately after removing from oven. Add M&M's or chocolate chips to final cooled batch.

Texas Caviar

I had this last night at a Sunday School Valentine's Party! I could have eaten the entire bowl! It is so good! This is a very versatile recipe that can be tweaked to make it a perfect fit for your home.

2 can's black-eyed peas with jalapenos, drained
1 can corn, drained
1/2-3/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup red bell pepper
1/4 cup green bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/8-1/4 cup chopped cilantro
chopped jalapenos to your taste (optional)
1 (8 oz.) Italian dressing
pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients and chill for at least 2 hours.

Serve with tortilla or pita chips.

VARIATIONS: use black beans instead of black-eyed peas. Use hominy instead of corn. Use one can of black beans and one cf pinto beans. Some recipes add green chilies.

Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Here is a simple recipe for Spinach-Artichoke Dip that is sure to hit the spot!

2 cups Parmesan cheese
1 (10 oz) box of frozen spinach, thawed
1 (14 oz.) jar of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
2/3 cup sour cream
1 cup cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tsp. garlic, minced

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix all ingredients well.

Pour into 2 quart casserole. Bake for 20-30 minutes.

Serve with crackers or cubed bread. Yummy!

Spicy Cheese Ball

Just enough kick to make you go back for more!

2 packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
1/2 of a green or red bell pepper, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
2 green onions, chopped
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
cilantro, or shredded cheddar cheese, or nuts to roll ball in

Mix cream cheese, shredded cheeses, peppers, onion, Worcestershire and garlic salt. Form into ball. Roll in cilantro, or desired topping.

Serve with crackers.

Dried Beef Cheese Ball

This cheese ball is so addictive! You can't have enough!

2 packages cream cheese, softened
1 large jar Armour Dried Beef
3 green onions, chopped
1 TBSP. Worcestershire
1 TBSP. Accent

Tear HALF of the beef into small pieces. Mix torn beef, cheese, onions, worcestershire and Accent. Form into ball. Layer outside of ball with whole beef pieces.

Serve with crackers. Enjoy!

Pinapple Cheese Ball

Try this mouthwatering cheese ball at your football party! Delightful! 

2 packages cream cheese, softened

1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple

1/4 cup green onion, chopped

small green pepper, chopped

3/4 TBSP Seasoned Salt

2 cups pecans, chopped

Mix cheese, pineapple, onion, pepper, salt and ONE cup of the pecans. Form into ball. Roll in remaining nuts. 

Serve with crackers. Delicious! 

Deli Pinwheels

Add a little protein to your pinwheels by adding deli meat of your choice! Scrumptious!

4-5 12-inch tortillas
2 packages cream cheese, softened
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
1/4 tsp. course ground black pepper
2 green onions, minced
1/2 cup green or red bell pepper, chopped
1 large tomato, thinly sliced
1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
black olives, chopped, drained and blotted dry with paper towel
8-12 large lettuce leaves, washed and dried
1/2-3/4 lb. deli style lunch meat of your choice (ham, turkey, chicken, roast beef)

Mix cream cheese, dressing mix, black pepper, onions and bell pepper.

Spread evenly over entire surface of tortillas.

Layer remaining ingredients. Roll tortillas tightly, without tearing tortilla. Wrap in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

When ready to serve, unroll foil or plastic wrap and cut into approximately 1-inch pieces.

Mexican Pinwheels

I love pinwheels at a party! If you make these your plate will be empty by the end of the party!

16 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
2 green onions or chives, chopped fine
5 12-inch tortillas (you can use colored tortillas to add some color)
4 oz. pimentos, chopped, drained and blotted dry with paper towel
4 oz. green chilies, chopped, drained and blotted dry
2 1/4 oz. black olives, chopped, drained and blotted dry
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Mix cream cheese, dressing mix and onions. Spread evenly over entire surface of tortilla.

Layer remaining ingredients on top of cream cheese.

Roll tightly. Wrap in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours, or overnight.

When ready to serve, unwrap foil or plastic wrap and cut tortillas in equal sized pieces.

Serve with salsa.

Classic Chicken Buffalo Wings

I like this recipe from the Kitchen Daily website for easy Chicken Buffalo Wings.

24 wings (approximately 4 lbs.), halved at joint and wing tips cut off
2 TBSP vegetable oil or 1 1/2 TBSP each of vegetable oil and melted butter
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 TBSP ketchup
2 TBSP barbecue sauce
1 TBSP cider vinegar
1 TBSP hot pepper sauce

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 large rimmed cookie sheets with foil and set aside.

Pat wings dry with paper towel.

In large plastic zipper bag, place oil, butter, salt, and cayenne pepper. Squeeze to mix.

Add 6-8 wings at a time to bag. Thoroughly coat wings in cayenne mixture. Arrange on foil lined pan, about
1 1/2 inches apart. Continue process until all wings are coated.

Bake, one sheet at a time, for 20-25 minutes, or until wings are slightly browned and tender, and not pink at bone.

While wings are baking, mix ketchup, barbecue sauce, vinegar and hot pepper sauce. Mix well. Pour over baked wings and stir to coat.

For Dip:
1 1 /2 cups thick creamy ranch dressing
Add crumbles of blue cheese if desired

Serve with celery sticks

Guacamole

Guacamole is so easy to make, so delicious and so good for you!

2 avocados
1/4 cup salsa
1 TBSP sour cream
2 tsp. lemon or lime juice (lime preferred, but lemon is good too)
salt and pepper to taste

Mash avocados. Add rest of ingredients and mix well.

Chill and serve!

VARIATIONS: Add taco seasoning or jalapenos. Instead of sour cream, use 3 TBSP mayonnaise. Add chili powder and garlic.

7 Layer Mexican Dip

Super Bowl is right around the corner! Time to bring out the snack food! I remember eating this dip as a child and LOVING it!

1 can refried beans
16 oz. sour cream
1 package taco seasoning
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup prepared guacamole (see recipe on blog or buy from store)
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup black olives

Spread beans on bottom of serving dish. Mix sour cream and taco seasoning. Spread over beans. Layer rest of ingredients, one at at time.

Delicious! Serve with your favorite tortilla or corn chips. So good!

Nachos

My husband and I have nachos as a meal sometimes on the weekend. It's fast, simple and very inexpensive, not to mention YUMMY! You can make it without meat, or add whatever meat you have around.

2 cans refried beans
taco sauce, to taste
taco seasoning, to taste
salsa, to taste
cheddar cheese, shredded
jalapenos, sliced

Layer all ingredients, microwave approximately 5 minutes, until hot. Serve with tortilla chips. Garnish as desired with lettuce, tomatoes, olives, sour cream and guacamole.

Spinach Dip

I LOVE this dip. Flavorful with a delightful crunch, and it HAS to be good for you right? Afterall it's main ingredient is spinach!

1 pkg. frozen, chopped spinach, thawed with excess fluid squeezed out.
8 oz. sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 pkg. Knorrs vegetable soup mix, dry
1 small can water chestnuts, chopped
2 green onions, chopped

 Mix all ingredients together and allow to set overnight. Serve with bread or crackers.

Spicy Sausage Balls

Warm, cheesy, savory with a jalapeno kick, Spicy Sausage Balls are one of our favorite holiday treats. Prep time is minimal and you can have them mixed, baked and ready to go in about 20 minutes! Here's what you need:

3 cups Bisquick
1 lb. HOT sausage ( I prefer Jimmy Dean)
3-4 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup purple onion, diced
1/4 cup pickled jalapeno, diced
red pepper powder to taste

Simply mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. I use my Kitchen Aid mixer. Then shape into balls and bake in a 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.

If you are taking them to a party, you can keep them warm in a crock pot set on the warm or low setting.

If you are not a Spicy Sausage Ball fan, and just want regular but delicious Cheesy Sausage Balls, simply omit the last 3 ingredients and use regular sausage instead of hot.

I have been known to throw in a dash of garlic and/or chili powder for extra flavor. These sausage balls disappear quickly and get tons of raves! Enjoy!