Stuffed Mushrooms

 

I can’t remember from where I got this recipe. (Probably Pinterest)  I didn’t change a thing in the recipe – these were fantastic “as is”.  This is another good New Year’s Eve appetizer recipe.  Enjoy!

 

Ingredients:

 

1 (8 oz) block cream cheese

¼ cup green onions, finely chopped

½ lb. bacon, chopped, cooked, and drained

¾ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

40-50 mushrooms, washed with stems pulled out

 

Directions:

 

Mix cream cheese, green onions, bacon, and Parmesan cheese together in a large bowl.

 

Stuff mushrooms with filling, as much as desired. I do about 1 tsp give or take depending on the size of the mushroom.

 

Bake stuffed mushrooms at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes.

Click here for printable recipe.

Individual Seven Layer Dips

These were super easy to make and were a big hit at a recent party.  These are perfect for parties because everyone has their own little serving.   I found the recipe at the Girl Who Ate Everything site.  http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/

She has some wonderful recipes – you should go visit!

 

 

Ingredients:

 

1 (16 ounce) can refried beans

1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning

1 cup guacamole or make homemade guacamole

1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

1 cup chunky salsa or pico de gallo; or make homemade pico de gallo 

1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

2 Roma tomatoes, diced

1/2 bunch of green onions, sliced

1 (2.25 ounce) can of sliced olives, drained

8 (9 ounce) plastic tumblers

Tortilla chips

 

Directions:

 

Heat a non-stick skillet.  Add the beans to warm through.  Add the taco seasoning and a little bit of water.  Cook until warm and the seasoning has thoroughly dissolved.

 

Here's how the layers are assembled:

 

Layer 1: beans and taco seasoning; Layer 2: sour cream; Layer 3: guacamole; Layer 4: salsa or pico de gallo; Layer 5: cheese; Layer 6: tomatoes; Layer 7: green onions and olives

 

In each plastic glass, layer about 2 Tablespoons of the beans, followed by 2 Tablespoons of sour cream, 2 Tablespoons of guacamole, 2 Tablespoons of salsa or pico de gallo, and 2 Tablespoons of cheese.

 

Make sure you drain your salsa or pico to get the excess liquid out before you pour it on. Then top with about 1-2 teaspoons of tomatoes, olives, and green onion (If making ahead of time, wait to add these toppings until shortly before serving).

 

Garnish with one tortilla chip. Store in the refrigerator until serving and serve with chips. Makes around 8 individual dips.

 

Note: All measurements are approximate. Depending on whether you want thicker or thinner layers you will need more or less.

Click here for printable recipe.

Roasted Fennel

I got the idea for this recipe from Jamie Oliver’s show.  I never thought that I liked fennel before – because I don’t like licorice.  But, I thought I’d give this a try and I LOVE IT!  It's a perfect accompaniment for most meats!

 

Ingredients:

 

3 – 4 heads fennel  

1 clove garlic, finely sliced  

2 tablespoons butter

Drizzled Olive Oil  

4 oz. dry white wine

Salt & freshly ground black pepper 

 

 

Directions:

 

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

 

Remove any discolored parts of the fennel, and then cut the tops, reserving the leaves.

 

I normally slice each fennel from the top to the root, into about 4 pieces – quartered.  You can slice them finer and more delicately if you like.

 

Throw all the ingredients except the reserved leaves into foil – loosely making a packet.  However, don’t completely close it - top off a piece of parchment paper, run it under cold water and scrunch it up to make it soft.  Then place it snugly over and around the fennel, on the inside of the foil packet.   This bakes and steams the fennel at the same time--basically making it really tasty!

 

Cook in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until tender.

 

Scatter with the fennel leaves before serving.

Click here for printable recipe.

Mexican Meatballs with Queso Blanco

This was another Pinterest find from the “Cooking on the Ranch” blog.  Love her blog and all of the recipes sound fantastic.  Click HERE to view Lee Ann’s blog.

 

I made the meatballs as appetizers for the Mexican themed dinner we attended a couple of weeks ago.   However, I can definitely imagine serving them for dinner - perhaps with some rice and salad. They were so flavorful and perfectly spiced – but not “hot” spicy.  Top them with the Queso Blanco – which is HEAVENLY.  It is creamy and spicy and super easy and quick to make.  I will definitely make the meatballs again – and I can think of a lot of ways to use the Queso Blanco – including eating it directly from the bowl.

 

Ingredients

 

1.5 lbs lean ground beef

1 cup bread crumbs, or panko crumbs

½ C. milk

1 egg

½ yellow onion, chopped

1 T. olive oil

2 T. chili powder

1 T. cumin

1 t. coriander

1 T. paprika

1 t. garlic powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

Instructions

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with Pam.

 

Combine the meat and bread crumbs in a bowl. In a blender add the milk, egg, onion, olive oil and spices.  Whirl until well combined and the onion is minced.  Pour in the bowl.  Mix well with the meat and bread crumbs.  Once well mixed, form the meat into small meatballs. Arrange meatballs on a baking sheet and bake 15 or 20 minutes.

 

To serve, place meatballs on a serving platter and drizzle with the Queso Blanco.  (recipe below)

 

Queso Blanco

 

Ingredients

 

½ lb White American Cheese, roughly chopped into 1" pieces

2 oz. diced green chilies (Like Ortega)

1 ½ tablespoon pickled jalapeno slices, diced fine

2 tablespoons juice from the pickled jalapenos

⅓ cup milk

¼ cup water

1 teaspoon ground cumin

 

Instructions

 

Combine all ingredients in a medium size glass bowl.  Microwave for five minutes, pausing to stir after every minute. Serve hot.

 

Click here for printable recipe.

Mexican Sopapilla Cheesecake

I was in charge of the appetizers and dessert at our most recent “dinner & a movie” gathering with our friends.   My friend made wonderful enchiladas, rice and beans for dinner.  After scouring Pinterest for a while – I found this recipe which was a breeze to make and incredibly delicious! (Original Recipe is HERE.) Just the right amount of sweet and the rich creaminess of the cream cheese.  I will definitely make this again… and again.  In fact, I wish I had a piece right now!

 

Ingredients:

 

3 (8oz) pkgs cream cheese, softened

1-1/2 cups white sugar

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 (8oz) cans refrigerated crescent rolls

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup honey, for garnish

 

 

Directions:

 

PREHEAT an oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

 

Beat the cream cheese with 1 cup of sugar and the Mexican vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.

 

Unroll one can of crescent roll dough, and place into the bottom of baking dish; pressing the seams together. Make sure that the edges are not too thick. Unroll the second can of crescent roll dough and using a rolling pin shape into one piece to fit over the cream cheese mixture in the 9x13 pan. Set aside.

 

Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture into the baking dish, then cover with the remaining piece of crescent dough. Brush some of the melted butter over the crescent rolls. Stir together 3/4 cup of sugar, cinnamon, and butter and sprinkle mixture over the top of the cheesecake.

 

Bake in the preheated oven until the crescent dough has puffed and turned golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle with honey. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 squares.

 

Chill in the refrigerator for a good 4 hours before serving.

 

Click here for printable recipe.

Baked French Dip Sandwiches

This was another Pinterest find – but I’ve made some minor adjustments.  We’ve had these sandwiches four or five times in the past month.  They’re a huge hit with all of us.  Easy and quick to make – but more importantly DELICIOUS! 

(Note:  the photo was taken the first time I made them.  Since that time, I’ve tweaked the recipe by making two layers with the roast beef and cheese – and I’ve switched to the crustier rolls.  Just keep forgetting to take a new picture!)

 

Ingredients:

 

4 Hoagie Rolls (I like the kind that are crusty on the outside and soft inside)

1 lb. medium rare roast beef, deli sliced

8 slices provolone cheese

Deli or Stoneground Mustard

 

1 pkg, Knorr Au Jus mix

1 can Beef Consummé

 

Directions:

 

Make the Au Jus first.  Follow the directions on the package.  When it’s complete add the can of Beef Consummé.  Bring to a simmer and set aside until the sandwiches are complete.

Turn the oven on to broil. 

 

Slice the rolls lengthwise.  Spread mustard on each half.

 

The roast beef will be divided evenly between the four sandwiches.  And, it’s placed on the sandwich in two separate layers in the following manner:

 

Layer some roast beef on the bottom half of the rolls.  Place under the broiler for 2 – 3 minutes to heat and just begin to sizzle.  Remove from the oven.

 

Tear the slices of provolone in half.  Place two halves on top of the roast beef.  Place another layer of roast beef on top of the cheese; top with two more halves of cheese.  Return to the broiler for another 2 – 3 minutes, just until the cheese begins to melt.  Remove from oven.

 

Place the other half of the roll on top.  Return to the oven for just about a minute.  You want to just warm the top half – be careful not to burn.

 

Cut the sandwich in half and serve with the Au Jus.

 

Click here for printable recipe.

Roasted Carrot & Ginger Soup

I wanted to serve soup and sandwiches for a recent lunch with family.  I found this great recipe for Carrot & Ginger soup.  Original Recipe can be found HERE. My mouth started watering almost immediately as I read the ingredients and directions.  I’ve left recipe almost intact – with a few minor alterations.  (More ginger and the addition of sour cream.)  I served the soup with French Dip Sandwiches.  Wow!  They were amazing and the combination of the soup and sandwiches was really well received.  Let’s just say there wasn’t a lot of talking going on at the lunch table – we were all too busy eating!

 

Ingredients:

 

2 lb. carrots, peeled and cut into large dice (3/4-inch)
2 tbsps olive oil
3 tbsps butter, unsalted
1 medium onion, medium dice
2 large ribs of celery, medium dice
3 tbsps fresh ginger, grated (I cheated and used ginger from a jar)
4 cups chicken broth
3 - 4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 tsp ground white pepper

8 ounces sour cream (I used light)

 

Directions:

 

Preheat oven to 425°F.

 

Place the diced carrots in a large baking or roasting pan. Drizzle the olive oil over the carrots, sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt and toss to coat evenly. Roast the carrots for 45 minutes, stirring the carrots after the first 25 minutes or roasting. Remove from oven.

 

Heat the butter in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté for three minutes until translucent. Add the celery and ginger to the onions and sauté for 4 more minutes. Stir in the roasted carrots, broth, 3 cups of the water, salt, and white pepper.

 

Bring the soup to a boil and reduce the heat to medium-low so that it is actively simmering. Cover the pot with a lid and let simmer for 45 minutes.

 

Allow the soup to cool a bit.  In batches, transfer the soup to a blender and purée until completely creamy.  Adding a bit of extra water as needed.  Return the soup to the pot and stir in the sour cream.   

 

Reheat the soup if necessary, season with more salt to taste, and serve.

 

Serves 4-6. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

 

Click here for printable recipe.