Party Cheeseball

We made this appetizer today to begin our Thanksgiving Feast. It was a big hit. Perfect for Holiday Parties and family get togethers.
Party Cheese Ball
(Printable Version )

2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese , softened
1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 Tbsp. finely chopped onions
1 Tbsp. chopped red bell peppers
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. lemon juice
Dash ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 cup chopped toasted PLANTERS Pecans
Make It!
BEAT cream cheese and Cheddar in small bowl with mixer until well blended.
ADD all remaining ingredients except nuts; mix well. Refrigerate several hours.
SHAPE into ball; roll in nuts. Serve with RITZ Crackers.

Super Fast Blender Salsa

"Finally a fresh-tasting salsa that you don’t have to wait till August to enjoy! Fresh cilantro, onion, and garlic disguise the fact that you have used canned tomatoes - not fresh. Don’t let that discourage you from trying this recipe. It reminds me of the salsa served in Mexican restaurants - with just enough kick"

Super Fast Blender Salsa from Prudence Pennywise
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/4 white onion, chopped
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with jalapenos, undrained
1/2 cup cilantro leaves, with some tender stems
juice of 1 lime
salt, to taste
Combine ingredients in the blender in the order listed. Puree until smooth, or leave a little chunky, if desired.

Potato Rounds

"Similar to Baked Potato Skins but you use the whole potato"

Potato Rounds (as seen on "Taste Buds"

2 russet potatoes
Salt, to taste (I used season salt in place of the salt, pepper, and paprika)
Black pepper, to taste
Paprika, to taste
1/3 cup Colby-jack cheese
5 slices of bacon, cooked and diced
Green onions for garnish, if desired
Sour cream, if desired


Preheat oven to 375.

1.Clean and scrub potatoes well. Slice the potatoes into 1/4" thick slices( Be sure to stay on the thicker side or they'll end up too crispy). Place potatoes on lightly buttered baking sheet and season each side with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Cook for 30 minutes. Flip potatoes over and cook for an additional 15 minutes.

2. Remove pan from oven and place a pinch of cheese and bacon on top of each potato slab. Return the pan to the oven and cook until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Serve with green onions and sour cream, if desired.

Carmel Apple Dip

Apple Dip
1 10 oz. tub of soft cream cheese or 1 8 oz. block softened
1/2 C brown sugar
1/4 C white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 pkg of a 8 oz. bag of SKOR English Toffee Bits
6-9 Granny Smith Apples cut into wedges for dipping
Mix together with a spoon until smooth - cream cheese, sugars and vanilla. Fold in toffee bits just before serving so they don’t get soggy. (soggy is yummy too!) I cut the apples just before serving to prevent them turning brown.

Cowboy Caviar

I begged a friend (Jennifer Clark) for this great recipe.....Enjoy!!!

1 can black eyed peas(drained)
1 can black beans (drained)
1 can white corn (drained)
4 Roma Tomatoes diced
4 green onions chopped
4 avocados diced
1 sm. can green chilis chopped
1 pkg of Zesty Italian dressing mix
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. oil
mix all together and serve with Tortilla or corn chips

Mexicorn Dip

Mexicorn Dip

2 cans Mexicorn - well drained
1 can Ro-Tels (tomatoes) - well drained
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayo
1 small bunch green onions
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
10 - 12 shakes Tabasco sauce
pinch of sugar

Best made the night before - Serve with white corn tortilla chips

Fresh salsa

Pico de Gallo

8 Roma tomato, cored, seeded, and coarsely chopped
1 purple onion, coarsely chopped
2 cloves of garlic crushed
2 limes, juiced 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 serrano pepper only a few seeds depending on how hot you want it
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Mix ingredients together and season, to taste, with salt and pepper.