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
