Corn and Olive Spread

This recipe came from an old 1996 Betty Crocker cookbook. I looked at it and said "really?" It was really good.

1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 package Hidden Valley Ranch envelope
1 - 4 ounce can of chopped olives
1/2 - 11 ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
1/2 - 4 ounce can of chopped green chilies, drained

The recipe also called for 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper which I did not use.

With an electric mixer, mix together the cream cheese and ranch dressing powder until smooth. Hand mix in remaining ingredients. Chill to mix flavors and serve.

I put mine on a bagel and it was delicious!!

Audrey :)

Spinach Balls

I ordered a new camera last week. So I'm hoping once the new camera arrives I'll have more photos again to share.

2 - 10 ounces packages, frozen, chopped spinach, cooked according to package directions (drained well)
2 cups herbed stuffing
4 eggs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
3/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, chopped

Allow spinach to cool slightly. Mix everything together and chill for 2-3 hours. Roll into balls. Serve cold.

Audrey :)

Nacho Casserole Appetizer

Everyone who knows me, knows I love mexican food. I don't eat it as often as I'd like as I do try to count calories, however a few times a month is just fine :)

1 pound ground meat
4 ounces refried beans
2 ounces chopped onions
7 ounces tortilla chips
4 ounces grated cheddar cheese
1 bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 tablespoon, dried mixed herbs

In a frying pan, brown the meat with the herbs. Drain grease. In a casserole, spread the beans on the bottom. Sprinkle with onions and then top with beef mixture. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. While still bubbling hot, sprinkle cheese and bell pepper on top. Serve with chips.

For a cute look, tuck the chips around the casserole dish when serving.

Audrey :)

Dill Dip

I love dill. Neither of my kids care for it so I don't use dill very often, but this is a great dip:

1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1/2 tablespoons grated cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons dill weed

Blend together and allow to chill to mix flavors.

Note: I use low fat mayonnaise and non fat sour cream. This does soften the taste a bit, but it also cuts out quite a few of the calories and a lot of the fat.

Audrey :)

Very Easy Spinach Dip

This dip whips up in no time flat:

Spinach Dip

1 package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
8 ounces sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 envelope dry Italian dressing mix

Mix everything in a blender and chill overnight.

Audrey :)

Cold Tuna Spread

1 can of tuna
1 package Italian salad mix
1/2 pint sour cream

Drain the tuna and then mix all ingredients together. Chill overnight to allow flavors to mix.

Audrey :)

Cottage Cheese and Olive Spread

This is a wonderful spread for crackers or cocktail bread:

Cottage Cheese and Olive Spread

1 cup cottage cheese
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped olives
1 tablespoon minced onion

Mix everything together and chill overnight.

Audrey :)

Dips

When summer comes, many people turn to barbeques for meals. I find that with barbeques people enjoy dips. I'd like to share some really simple dip recipes with you:

Sour Cream and Caviar Dip

2 cups sour cream
6 ounce jar of red caviar
1 tablespoon grated onion

Mix and refrigerate to chill. Serve with chips

Mexican Dip

2 - 15 ounce cans of prepared bean dip
1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
1 - 4 ounce can diced chiles
1 cup salsa
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Avocado-Onion Dip

1 envelope dry onion soup mix
8 ounces sour cream
2 ripe avocados, mashed
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Mix everything together and refrigerate to allow flavors to mix. Serve with chips or crackers.

Brown the ground beef and drain. In a casserole dish, layer the bean dip, beef, chiles, and salsa. Top with cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.

Cucumber Dip

2 medium cucumbers
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
hot sauce to taste

Peel cucumbers and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds. Then grate cucumbers.

Beat together the cream cheese, salad dressing, garlic powder and hot sauce. Once creamy, add the cucumbers and mix well.

Chill and serve with crackers or cocktail bread.

Each of these can be prepared very quickly and make a nice addition to any barbeque.

Audrey :)

Spinach Dip

My mom's been making this spinach dip for as far back as I can remember.

Spinach Dip

1 package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1/2 cup chopped parsley or parsley flakes
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 teaspoon dill seed
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
juice from 1/2 lemon

Mix and refrigerate overnight. Serve with crackers or veggies, or hollow out a round loaf of bread and serve with bread cubes.

Audrey :)

Bacon and Cream Cheese Spread

Bacon and Cream Cheese Spread

8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
4 hard boiled eggs, chopped
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 drops tabasco sauce
salt to taste

Mix together and spread on crackers or bread

Audrey :)

Cocktail Meatballs

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/3 cup minced onion
1 egg
1 tablespoon parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon worchestire sauce
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup shortening
10 ounces of grape jelly
12 ounces of chili sauce

Mix together the ground beef, bread crumbs, onions, milk, egg, parsley, worchestire sauce, salt and pepper. Shape into one inch balls. Melt the shortening in a skillet and brown the meatballs. Once meatballs are done, remove them from the skillet. Heat the chili sauce and grape jelly in the skillet until the jelly is melted. Stir constantly. Add the meatballs back in and coat them completely then simmer for 30 minutes.

Audrey :)

Ground Beef Dip

I love appetizers. There are times that I have just appetizers for dinner. I thought I'd share some appetizer recipes with you.

3 pounds ground beef or ground turkey
2 large green bell peppers, diced
3 large tomatoes
1 large brick of pepper jack cheese
1 pound velveeta cheese, cut into 1 inch squares
hot sauce to taste
tortilla chips

Brown the meat and green pepper. Drain. In a food processor, puree the tomatoes. Then heat in a skillet. (not with the beef). Add the the cheese pieces and stir until blended. Add hot sauce and meat mixture. Heat through and sever hot.

Audrey :)