The month of January has never been my favorite time of the year.
The holiday season is over and cold, bad weather usually sets in as it certainly has this year.
It's time to branch out and get ready for something fun to beat the winter doldrums. This year's Super Bowl is just around the corner and is the perfect chance to host a party.
I am not a big pro football fan, but I never miss the greatest sporting event of the year. As you know, the commercials are actually my favorite part. You hear as much about them the next day as you do the actual game.
You can make your get-together as simple as you want it to be. Make a big pot of chili or put out "sandwich fixings" and let everyone do their own thing. Or ask your guests to bring their favorite dish and snack the afternoon away.
The more items you can prepare in advance the better. No one wants to spend the party in the kitchen working.
Utilize those crock pots to keep things warm and ready.
The last party we hosted ended up with a leather jacket catching on fire on my breakfast table.
A friend of mine accidently put her coat on the table when she arrived without seeing the candle that was burning. I wouldn't suggest that for entertainment.
I'm sure my guests wondered what in the world I was cooking that smelled like burning leather!
At my house, the "girls" usually go to my son's den to watch the game. Well, actually we put the game on mute and put the sound on for the commercials. The "guys" have the den and the larger television.
We do notice that they are constantly drifting back to see what we are talking about - curiosity killed the cat.
I saw a commercial about several men who had been to every Super Bowl. They have their ticket stubs and memorabilia from each trip.
This year Arlington, Texas, will host the Super Bowl at Cowboy Stadium.
I have no intention of making the trip, but I went online just for curiosity's sake to see how much tickets cost. I had no idea what the price would be. The cheapest tickets are $2,500 and the most expensive ones are $16,000 - there are still some available!
Whether you opt for a big pot of chili with all the fixings or sandwiches, pick-up foods and dips are also a great way to go. Chicken wings, cocktail sausages and layered dips are traditional party foods that can't be beat.
A spinach dip will make you feel like you are eating healthy. Don't forget a bite of something sweet.
Layered dips are great and can be made in advance. They go a long way for a big crowd.
Hope you enjoy today's recipes. Thanks for reading.
MEXICAN LAYERED DIP
2 cans bean dip (found in the potato chip aisle)
1 (16 ounces) sour cream
1 package taco seasoning
1 large guacamole dip
2 cups grated Mexican cheddar cheese
1 large thick and chunky salsa
Chopped green onions
Sliced black olives
Tortilla Scoops
On a large platter, spread a layer bean dip.
Mix sour cream and taco seasoning and layer on top of bean dip.
Spread guacamole on top and pour salsa as your next layer.
Top with cheese, green onion and sliced black olives.
Serve with Scoops.
I have never met anyone, young or old, who didn't love this dip!
LAYERED SHRIMP DIP
2 (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 bottle cocktail sauce
2 cans shrimp, drained
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 chopped bell pepper
1chopped tomato
1 can sliced black olives, drained
1 pound mozzarella cheese, grated
Spread cream cheese on a serving platter.
Pour cocktail sauce on top and layer the shrimp, onion, bell pepper, tomato and black olives on top.
Top with cheese and refrigerate.
Serve with Ritz crackers.
I have never eaten anything with shrimp as an ingredient that I didn't like. This is a little bit different and also delicious.
HOT HAM ROLL-UPS
1 can crescent rolls
Sliced ham (oblong slices)
Grated cheddar cheese
Grey Poupon mustard
Sesame seeds
Divide rolls into rectangles - slightly mash perforations together.
Place one slice of ham over each roll section. Spread mustard over the ham and sprinkle with cheese.
Roll up in jellyroll fashion and seal at the end.
Roll in sesame seeds and slice into five rounds.
Place on lightly greased baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for about 12 minutes or until golden brown.
These are one of my son's very favorite things.
LITTLE PIZZAS
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground sausage
1 pound Velveeta cheese
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon oregano
1 loaf party rye bread
Cook beef and sausage until done; drain fat.
Add cheese, Worcestershire, garlic salt and oregano.
Stir over low heat until cheese has melted.
Spread mixture over bread slices. Garnish with half a stuffed olive or canned mushroom slice.
Bake at 350 degrees until hot.
These may be frozen and baked when desired.
These are loved by both young and old.
EASY STUFFED SAUSAGE MUSHROOMS
Fresh button mushrooms
Ground sausage (mild or hot)
Garlic salt
Worcestershire sauce
Dried bread crumbs
Lemons
Lightly grease a glass baking dish.
Prepare and de-stem mushrooms. Place mushrooms in dish and stuff with the uncooked sausage.
Sprinkle with Worcestershire and garlic salt.
Top with dried breadcrumbs and bake at 350 degrees.
Drizzle with lemon juice and serve immediately.
These may be made ahead and baked before serving.
If you like mushrooms, these are the best!
Don't limit them to an appetizer. They are great with your favorite steak on the grill.
HOT ARTICHOKE DIP
1 (14 ounces) can artichoke hearts, drained and finely chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 package dry Good Seasons Italian salad dressing mix
Mix all ingredients together. Pour into a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Serve with Wheat Thin crackers.
Quick, easy and delicious
SAUSAGE LOVER'S DIP
1 pound ground sausage
2 tablespoons water
1 (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1 (8 ounces) cream cheese,
1 (8 ounces) sour cream
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 can diced Ro-Tel tomatoes
½ cup diced green onion
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Brown sausage until no longer pink and drain well; add water.
Stir in spinach and next six ingredients.
Cook and stir until mixed well; ready to serve when heated throughout.
You may make ahead and warm in a 350 degree oven. Serve with Frito or Tostito Scoops.
If it has spinach as an ingredient, it must be good for you.
nContact Lee Ann Flemming at lafkitchen@hughes.net.
