I think we all can agree that besides the Hallmark Channel and hot cocoa, food is the best part of the Holiday Season.

As a kid my mother very rarely allowed me to cook the main courses but I was always in charge of the appetizer(s) and dessert(s). If you don't already make these appetizers, now you will. They are a hit among my family and I am sure that they will be for yours.

#1 The Fruit Dish accompanied with Homemade Cream Cheese Dip:

Ingredients: (Cream Cheese Dip)

·1 8 oz. package of cream cheese.

·1 cup of powdered sugar.

·1 7 oz. jar of marshmallow creme.

Step One:

Thoroughly mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar and marshmallow creme together.

Step Two:

Refrigerate the dip for at least fifteen (15) minutes before serving.

Step Three:

Cut up assorted fruits.

Ie. Strawberries, pineapple, grapes, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, etc.

*Keep fruit and dip refrigerated before serving.

Step Three: (your guests are starting to flow in)

Place fruit onto a nice dish and place the dip into a small bowl in the center of fruit. It is a nice healthy alternative for kids and adults.

#2 Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients:

·1 stick of butter

·1 sleeve of Ritz crackers

·1 8 oz. package of cream cheese

·1 can of crab meat or 1 frozen package of cut up spinach

·Large white mushrooms

·Mozzarella is optional

Step One:

Remove stems of mushrooms while rinsing them under cold water then put them aside to dry on a paper towel.

Step Two:

Take a large ziploc bag and put the sleeve of Ritz crackers into the bag. Take a rolling pin and smash the crackers, (be sure that the bag is zipped closed and free of any air) there should be no chunks of cracker left!

Step Three:

Put the 8 oz package of cream cheese into a bowl with the stick of butter and mix thoroughly, you may have to put them into the microwave to soften them up a bit.

Step Four:

Drain the crab meat or boil the spinach and then drain the spinach.

Step Five:

Add crab meat or spinach to the cream cheese and butter and mix thoroughly.

Step Six:

Add the crackers into your mixture and mix thoroughly.

Step Seven:

For this step you will need a spoon and a metal cake pan (we normally use the disposable cake pans).

Begin stuffing the mushrooms and space them out in the pan.

Step Eight:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until tops look golden brown.

*When the mushrooms come out they will look a lot smaller than they were before and that is OK! Don't worry you didn't mess up.

#3 Spinach Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:

·2 8-oz. package of cream cheese

·½ cup of mayonnaise

·1 14-oz. can of artichoke hearts

·10-oz. frozen package of cut up spinach

·1 clove of garlic, minced

·½ cup of grated parmesan cheese

Step One:

Put the 2 8-oz packages of cream cheese, ½ cup of mayo, 1 spoonful of minced garlic cloves 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese into a bowl and mix thoroughly.

Step Two:

After mixing those items put it to the side and begin to mine your artichoke hearts. Be sure to use the whole can of artichoke hearts.

Step Three:

Put pot of water onto stove and thaw the frozen spinach. Drain spinach before mixing with the other ingredients.

Step Four:

Put spinach and artichokes into mixture and mix thoroughly.

Step Five:

For this step you are going to need a glass pie dish.

Butter the glass pie dish and place mixture evenly in the dish.

*you may sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top if you would like. (I DO!)

Step Six:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 20 to 25 minutes uncovered.

Serve this dip with your choice of vegetable or cracker. I use low sodium wheat thins.

No matter where we live food has a way of bringing nations to the table and allowing their taste buds to decide which dishes taste the best. I hope that this Holiday Season you may think of my article and use one of these to give your family and friends a delicious new way to celebrate.

-The Little Chef