Crostini Tomato Basil and Pepperoni Appetizer Recipe

Crostini – An hors d’oeuvre (appetizer) made with various toppings.

This appetizer is easy to make and delicious. The toasted bread adds crunch and works well with the  pepperoni and cream cheese with chives at the bottom. The toppings bring a fresh, delicious blend with the Basil complimenting the spring greens. Top that with a bit of Parmesean and you have an appetizer nobody can resist.

You could substitute the Pepperoni for a thin salami, prosciutto or other deli style meat you prefer.

1 Loaf French Beget or Italian Bread
1/4 lb Sandwich Pepperoni or 1 Package small Pepperoni
1 – 8 oz Cream Cheese with Chives
1 Bag Salad Greens (Spring Mix is great for this recipe)
1 Tomato
3 TBS Fresh Basil Chopped
Fresh Parmesan Cheese
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper

Slice bread into 1/2 inch thick slices. Place on Baking Sheet and drizzle each with Olive Oil.
Place in 350 degree oven until golden – 10 to 15 minutes.
Slice tomato thin and cut each slice in 1/2 moons or dice into small bites.
Chop Basil into slices (Juliane).

To assemble Crostini:

Spread cream cheese over slice of toasted bread.
Add sliced Pepperoni.
Add salad greens and push down gently.
Add a a spoonful of Basil over the greens.
Add 2 slices or a couple of spoonfuls of tomato.
Salt and Pepper tomato to taste.
Grate Fresh Parmesan over top.
Add to a pretty platter.

Makes Approximately 14 appetizers

Photo Courtesy of  tiramisustudio – FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Super Bowl Must Have Party Tailgating Recipes

The 2015 Superbowl with Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will meet up this Sunday February 1st at 6:30 pm ET on NBC.

For a great Super Bowl party,  you need awesome food to share with friends and family.

Hot Chili to Hot Wings, here is list of recipe idea’s for your game day fun.

Hot Wings with Blue Cheese Dressing

Brown Sugar BBQ Wings – PlainChicken.com

Nachos Cheesy Party Dip

Perfect Guacamole – GimmeSomeOven.com

Lara Spencer’s Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip (as seen on Rachael Ray Show and so yummy!)

Bacon Spinach Quiche Bites –Easy Recipe With Just Five Ingredients

Mac and Cheese Bites – BiteMeMore.com

Buffalo Chicken Bites – SweetPeasKitchen.com

Bacon Wrapped Beer and Brat Bites – BetterRecipes.com

Beer Candied Bacon Strips – iSaveAtoZ

Mini Meatball Heroes – Giada De Laurentiis

Slow Cooker Chipotle Pulled Pork with Apple Slaw – CookiesAndCups.com

Loaded Sweet Potato Skins – SallysBakingAddiction

Favorite Pepperoni Pizza Dip – SallysBakingAddiction

Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Beer Soft Pretzels – HalfBakedHarvest.com

Emeril Lagasse’s Baby Back Ribs With Coffee BBQ Sauce – As seen on Good Morning America

Kansas City-Style Ribs – TasteOfHome.com

Frito Chili Pie  – Ree Drummond The Pioneer Woman

Game Day Chili – Sunny Anderson Food Network

Football Pretzel Sticks ­ – SheSaved.com

Neely’s Pigs in a Blanket with a Tangy Dipping Sauce – Pat and Gina Neely (Food Network)

And of course there has to be Dessert!

Chocolate Pudding and Cookies Layered Dessert Recipe 

Candy Bar Blondies – SallysBakingAddiction.com

Football Cupcakes – Mix&Mingle.com

Butterfinger Rice Krispie Treats – RecipeGirl.com

Wishing you a fun Super Bowl Party and don’t forget the commercials!

 

Photo Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Bacon Spinach Quiche Bites Easy Recipe With Just Five Ingredients

These quiche bites are yummy and with just five ingredients easy too make and serve. I made these for a party and should have made more.

2 Eight Ounce Packages Cream Cheese
1/2 LB Bacon (not thick cut)
6 oz Frozen Spinach
2 packages Mini Fillo (Phyllo) Shells
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese

Bring Cream Cheese to room temperature or place in microwave until soft.

Defrost spinach and squeeze out all the water you can until almost dry. I put mine in a few paper towels and ring the water out.  Set aside.

Cut slices of bacon into small pieces and cook on med until crispy. Remove to drain on paper towels. Keep the drippings in pan.

With an electric mixer on high, beat cream cheese until fluffy, about a minute. Add about 4 tablespoons of the bacon drippings and mix again until the drippings are well incorporated. Add spinach and mix again until blended with cream cheese. Stir in by hand, the bacon and Parmesan cheese.

Use cooking spray lightly on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Place mini phyllo shells on baking sheet   Fill each shell just to the top, about a spoonful each. Sprinkle the tops with more Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes or until the Parmesan on top is turning beige.

Makes 45 appetizers

 

Nachos Cheesy Party Dip Recipe

This is such a yummy recipe for game day or any occasion!

1 lb. ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 cups shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cans (16 oz. each) re-fried beans
1 pkg.(1-1/4 oz.) taco seasoning mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chunky taco sauce – mild, medium or hot
1 can (4 oz.) green chiles, sliced
1 cup sliced black olives
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
tortilla chips

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and onions. Drain well. Add the taco seasoning mix and cumin; stir and set aside.
In a mixing bowl combine the re-fried beans and Monterrey Jack cheese and mix well.
Spread the bean mixture in a shallow 10″ x 15″, oblong or oval baking dish.
Cover with the ground beef/onion mixture. Spread the chunky taco sauce over the beef.

Top with the Cheddar cheese.
Scatter green chilies and black olives, over the cheese.(At this point, you may made ahead and refrigerated until party time, but do not freeze.)

Bake in a preheated oven, uncovered, at 400º for 20 to 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated through.
Place the baking dish in the center of a large tray or platter, surrounded by a generous supply of tortilla chips.
Serve with sour cream and/or guacamole on the side.

Photo Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Buffalo Chicken Wings and Blue Cheese Dressing Dipping Sauce Recipe

Football or anytime you want to party bring on the Hot Wings!

5 pounds chicken wings
Salt – to taste
4 cups vegetable oil
2 Sticks butter
1/2 Cup Your Favorite Hot Sauce
1 Garlic Clove chopped fine

Chop off the tip of each chicken wing, and save in freezer for another recipe for broth or soup. Chop the wing in half (cutting at the joint) to make 2 pieces and sprinkle with salt.

Heat oil over medium high heat in a deep skillet, Dutch oven, or deep fryer until it reaches 325 degrees.
Cook half the batch of chicken wings 10-12 minutes or until they’re golden and crisp, stirring occasionally.
Drain on paper towels and cook the remaining wings.

While the wings are cooking, melt butter with garlic over medium heat in a heavy saucepan, add hot sauce.
Stir well. At this point you could add a Tablespoon of Honey for added flavor, or if you sauce is too hot/spicy adding honey will take away some of the heat.

Put the chicken wings in a mixing bowl and pour the butter hot sauce mixture over them. Toss well to coat each one.
Place the chicken on a warm serving platter, add celery sticks and a dipping bowl with Blue Cheese Dressing, Ranch Dressing or both.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Buffalo Chicken Wings are traditionally served with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
Here is a quick blue cheese dressing dipping sauce

1 cup buttermilk
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1 Garlic clove ( Roasted or chopped fine)
1/8 tsp sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 oz Danish Blue cheese

In a food processor or heavy-duty blender, combine all ingredients except the blue cheese. Blend until smooth.
Add blue cheese, and pulse quickly once or twice. Do not blend so you will have small chunks of blue cheese.
Serve in dip bowl with hot wings, or over a salad.

Note- Roasted garlic is delicious in this recipe and not as sharp as raw garlic.
Enjoy!

Photo Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net