Super Bowl Bites

Is everyone getting excited for the Super Bowl on Sunday? Who are you rooting for? One of my favorite things about the Super Bowl is all of the delicious eats! I've decided to share some of my favorite recipes for this year's big game...enjoy! xo

mini burger bites

ingredients:

16 large frozen french-fried waffle-cut potatoes 

1 pound ground beef or turkey

2 - 2 teaspoons grilling seasoning blend

slices cheddar cheese, cut into quarters

cherry tomatoes, sliced

mustard, ketchup, pickles, etc.

directions:

preheat oven to 400 degrees F

bake potato fries for 18 to 20 minutes or until crisp; remove from oven

meanwhile, combine meat and seasoning; form into sixteen 1-ounce mini burgers (about 2 tablespoons)

in a skillet, cook burgers, uncovered, over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, turning burgers once halfway through cooking

top each potato with a burger, cheese quarter, and tomato slice

broil 4 - 5 inches from heat for 1 - 2 minutes or until cheese has melted 

Velveeta Cheese Dip

ingredients:

1 lb velveeta cheese block

1 can rotel diced tomatoes & green chiles - undrained

ground beef (optional)

directions:

combine ingredients in crock pot (or microwaveable bowl)

turn crock pot and low and stir (or microwave on high for 5 minutes)

party pinwheels

ingredients:

2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened

1 (1 oz) package ranch dressing mix

2 green onions, minced

4 (12 inch) flour tortillas

1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup diced celery

1 (2 oz) can sliced black olives

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

directions:

in medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, ranch mix, and green onions

spread this mixture on each tortilla

sprinkle red pepper, celery, black olives, and cheese over cream cheese mixture

roll up the tortillas, then wrap them tightly in aluminum foil

chill 2 hours or overnight; cut off ends of the rolls, and slice the chilled rolls into 1 inch slices 

brown sugar smokies

ingredients:

1 pound bacon

1 (16 oz) package of little smokies

1 cup brown sugar, or to taste

directions:

preheat oven to 350 degrees F

cut bacon into thirds and wrap each strip around a little sausage

place the wrapped sausages on wooden skewers

arrange the skewers on a baking sheet, and sprinkle with brown sugar

bake until bacon is crisp and brown sugar is melted 

...and a few self-explanatory desserts for fun

1st Birthday

My sister-in-law recently asked me for some help planning my adorable niece's 1st birthday party. I love a great party as well as the next gal, and coming up with ideas is just as fun...for me, anyway! I came across so many cute snapshots, and wanted to share a few with you all...enjoy!

wishing tree

love the loose stars inside the invitation

over-sized round balloons = amaze!

up next: food

I came across so many things served in mason jars or plastic cups and I love this idea! Individual servings, no plates necessary, not to mention EASY cleanup. 

my fav = cupcakes in a jar

All images via Pintrest.

Holiday Appetizer

Edie is hosting an appetizer link party this week and I am so excited! Lots of yummy new recipes to add to the book before Christmas. Today, I am sharing one of my favorite apps of all time - bacon wrapped dates...Holy.Deliciousness. The first time I experienced this appetizer party in my mouth was at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba in Chicago. My recipe is a slightly different, but equally delicious version found below.

Ingredients
12 Pitted dates
1/2 Cup cream cheese (or any cheese you choose - goat cheese is delicious, too)
1/2 Cup brown sugar
4 - 5 slices of bacon 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F

Slice dates in half, and open them up

Pinch off pieces of cream cheese, and place them into the center of the dates

Close the halves of the dates, roll them in brown sugar, and wrap with a half-slice of bacon

Secure each date with a toothpick

Place in baking dish 

Bake for 20 minutes, or until bacon is crisp

Turn dates over after first 10 minutes for even cooking

Serve over bed of spinach drizzled with balsamic for a lovely holiday display

ENJOY!