Puff Pastry Sausage Appetizers

 Last year for the super bowl I didn't host a party.  I barely watched the super bowl, but I did indeed still make an appetizer dinner like I was doing all of the above.  One thing I tried out were these 'pigs in a blanket' gone fancy via Martha Stewards Instagram.  

I cut my down b/c I didn't need a million, so here's my trimmed down version of some fancy dogs in some tasty blankets.  

Ingredients:  1 puff pastry, 4 sausages (I used Costco's Teton Polish sausage), 1 egg, spicy mustard, everything but the bagel seasoning (you could also just do poppy seeds or sea salt)

Instructions:  

1.  Heat over to 400 degrees.  

2.  Cut puff pastry into 4 equal pieces.  

3.  Spread spicy mustard on half the puff pastry.  Lay sausage down over spicy mustard.  

4.  Beat an egg and brush some on the second half of the puff pastry.  Roll the hotdog (seam side down).  Cut into 4 pieces at an angle.  

5.  Once you have all 4 hot dogs cut, brush the top of each with the remaining egg and sprinkle with seasoning.  

6.  Bake for about 30 minutes (until golden brown).  

7.  Serve with Spicy mustard.  

New and Improved Sausage Balls

 I'm the fan of a sausage ball or six.  I made these for New Year's Eve, but I might just whip them out again for the super bowl....because everyone knows that even more important than the game, second only to the commercials, is the spread.  These were really great b/c they have the additional of the seasoning pack from the Red Lobster box.  Garlic makes everything better....and keeps vampires away, so....win win....unless you are a fan of that sort of guy.

Ingredients:  1 box of Red Lobster Biscuit Mix, 1 pkg (16 oz) sausage, 8 oz block of sharp cheddar cheese (shredded), 8 oz block of pepper jack cheese (shredded)
Instructions:  
1.  Head over to 350.
2.  Mix the biscuit mix, seasoning (in the mix box), and sausage.
3.  Add cheese to the mix and combine (this takes a lot of work, squish, squeeze, squish again).
4.  Roll 1 inch balls (I made them about 1 1/2 inch b/c I was trying to save time) and place them on a baking sheet.  T
5.  Coo for 25 minutes.  Cool on a paper towel to soak up some of the oil.

Pom Pom Cupcake Toppers

 I recently brought these little pom pom cupcake toppers to GMT.  They are such an easy addition to some cupcakes for a football party...or really.....add some google eyes and make them purple and green and you have monsters for Halloween.

 I took two colors of this yard I got for a dollar at Hobby lobby.

 I wrapped it around my three fingers 20 times.

 I took another piece of yard and tied the middle.  Then I cut the loops.

You can trim down any pieces that are a little longer, but use your tie to attach these to candy pop stickers (sold at the craft store-or even in Walmart's party section).  Then decorate your cupcakes.

2 Cheese Sausage Balls

Maybe it's just me, but when I've made sausage balls in the paste, the bottom 1/4 of the mix can be a little dry and sandy.  I recently ran across a recipe on allrecipes that used cream cheese.  This was the first time I've ever been able to use every last bit of the batter and bisquick.  Side note, they were still (if not more) tasty than the original.  So, if you too have guilt over wasted bisquick.....or just like cream cheese, try out this combo.  

2 Cheese Sausage Balls

Ingredients:  softed 8 oz cream cheese, 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese, 1 lb sausage, 2 c. bisquick.

Instructions:  

1.  Mix sausage, cream cheese, and bisquick with a mixer, or your hands.  

2.  Add in cheese.  

3.  Roll into balls (about 1 T)-this makes about 60 balls.  

4.  Place in the fridge for 10 minutes to let the cream cheese harden a little.  

5.  Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.  

Football Wreath

I'm headed to GMT this morning to do football crafts.
I'll post the segment later on facebook.
I saw a wreath like this via pinterest I'm planning to bring..  The original watermark is from a website called mamadish, but the link is broken (I like to give credit where credit is due, but I don't like to lead people to hackers, so.....).  I adjusted the tutorial a bit....

I cut 1 1/2 inch strips of fabric and glued them around a Dollar Tree wreath with some hot glue.  It took me about four strips, which was perfect.  

 Once it was wrapped...

 I used some of this yarn (a dollar from Hobby Lobby) and wrapped it randomly (both colors) around the wreath to give it....some pizazz?  Depth?  Character?  You pick.

 Then I cut strips of felt about 1 1/2 inch and I fringed it to about 1/4 inch.  Then I rolled it and gued the bottom....this becomes your pom poms.

 I cut out little pennants and used some 'Thickers' (thick letter stickers from Hobby Lobby I got for half off) to spell out my team's name.  You could also use your Cricut or painted wood letters.

 I glued these on to some string.  I sandwiched the back to hold it secure.

I glued all these pieces on to the wreath along with a wooden football I got from Hobby Lobby for less than a buck.  Again, you could make these with felt, but I took the easy route.  

I have literally made 20-30 wreaths using similar techniques (yard, fabric, and that trust Dollar Store Wreath).  Scroll here.  

Taqitos

These taquitos won't win any glamor shot awards, but they sure were tasty!  I made them along with a bunch of other appetizers for New Year's Eve, but I ddn't warm up the tortilas enough before I rolled them, thus the cracked sides, BUT instead of waiting to share the recipe, I thought I'd put it here, and net time I make some improvements to the 'look' I'll repost, but the taste was on point! 
This was a 2nd place 'speedy' recipe that was printed in this years State of Texas cookbook.

State Fair Chicken Taquitos

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Ingredients:  2 c. shredded cooked chicken, 1 (1 oz) pkg taco seasoning mix, 2 c. shreddd cheddar cheese, 1 (10 oz) an Ro-Tel tomatoes (drained), 12+ corn tortillas, salsa for dipped (I also had sour cream and cheese sauce)

Instructions:

1.  Mix the chicken, taco mix, cheese, and Ro-Tel.  

2.  Warm tortials in the microwave 20 seconds at a time until they are soft and pliable (you can also do this on a skillet with vegetable spray). 

3.  Place 2 T of chicken mix on each tortila, roll tightly.  Secure with tooth pick, if necessary  

4.  Place on baking sheet, seam side down; bake at 375 10-12 minutes. Serve with salsa for dipping.

Hot Salsa Dip

I tried out this recipe last year and...yum.  It really is one of the better dish I've tried in a long time.  It originally came from plainchicken and it was super simple to put together.  Easy, tasty, and footbally are all good reasons to for me to try out/keep a recipe

Hot Salsa Dip

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Ingredients:  8 oz cream cheese (softened), 2 t.taco seasoning, 1 3/4 c cheddar cheese (shredded/divided), 8 oz salsa)
Instructions:  Combine cream cheese, 1 c. cheese, and seasoning.  Spread into the bottom of a 1 qt baking dish.  Top with salsa.  Sprinkle the remaining 3/4 c. cheese on top of the salsa.  Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted.  Serve hot with corn chips.

Pizza Poppers

I put this together awhile ago when I was having some friends over.  The nice thing is that they tasted great at room temperature (I hate having to 'time' dishes) and were super easy to put together....oh...and it's pizza-who doesn't like pizza?
So...if you fall into 1 or 3 of those categories-here's an easy appetizer for football season, New Year's Eve parties....or 'just because'....which is why I make most of my dishes.  The original recipe came from cookingforkeeps.

Pizza Poppers

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Ingredients:  1 pkg canned crescent rolls, 1 c. mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, 1/2 c finely diced green peppers or any other toppings (purple onion etc), 1/2 c pizza sauce for dipping

Instructions:  Preheat oven 350.  Spray two mini muffin tins with cooking spray.  Separate the crescent roll into 4 triangles (press the seams of the two triangles to form the rectangles). Sprinkle each triangle with 1/4 c cheese each, a little bit of your green peppers/onions etc.  Press into dough.  Layer pepperoni on top of cheese and other toppings.  Cover all but the very edges.  Roll tightly.  Cut into 6 even pieces.  Places poppers (cut side down) into the muffin tins.  Bake for 10 minutes (the dough should be a pale brown).  Serve with warm sauce.  

Macho Nachos

I don't know why I never thought about this, but chili is actually good on tortilla chips.  I saw the recipe for 'macho' nachos....which basically=more meat at I'llwashyoudry.  Very easy, and yummy.
Recipe:  Lay 4 handfulls of chip on a baking tray.  Top with half a can of chili, 1 1/2 c of mexican cheese.  Repeat layer.  Bake for 5-10 minutes at 400 degrees (untill cheese is melted).  Top with olives, jalapenos, tomatoes, sour cream, green onions, salsa, etc.  Serve 'em up.

The Best Spinach Dip....For Real.

For years people have been bringing spinach dip in bread bowls.  Sometimes I could steal the whole bowl....if people weren't watching, or I was over the whole 'having friends' thing...and sometimes it's just 'eh' and I'd scoop it off my plate and back into the bowl b/c it just didn't live up to the 'last time' someone brought it.  I've looked up the recipe and there area always 19,567 different teas of just a little 'something different' that makes the difference between wanting to scoop more on my plate, or toss my plate in the trash.  My pal, Laine, happens to be the owner of the very best version of this.  The end.  She shared her tips with me....and it turns out....the simpler you go....the better.  Who knew?  So...if you are looking for the very best version of Spinach Dip....I'll eliminate the heart ache of wasting time on anything but the best and sharing this version.  The Right Version.

Spinach Dip

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Ingredients:  24 oz sour cream, 2 T. miracle whip, 2 packages of Hidden Valley Ranch Dip Seasoning, 1 pkg of frozen chopped spinach (thawed and water totally squeezed out), 2 loaves of Hawaiian Bread
Directions:  Mix 24 oz of sour cream, 2 Tablespoons of miracle whip, 2 packages of hidden valley ranch dip seasoning pack (BUT leave out about a Tablespoon...just use it for soup or something later...if you put both full packs in...it gets a little too salty), and 1 package of chopped spinach you buy in the frozen food section.  Thaw the spinach in advance and squeeze out the water.  When you think you have it all out....squeeze it some more.....that puppy can hold some major water.
Buy two loaves of Hawaiian Bread.  Hollow one loaf out and leave the sliced (or torn) pieces around the bowl for dipping.  Tear the second loaf.  You can also serve these with crackers....but....hello, why if you have access to the magic that is Hawaiian Bread?

Pepperoni Puffs

Here's a super easy/last minute appetizer I've stuck together for football watching parties and New Year's Eve.  You can never go wrong with pizza.  And if pizza is wrong...you need new friends.

Pepperoni Puffs

Ingredients:  1 can junior biscuits, 40 pepperonis, 10 cheese cubes, butter and garlic salt, pizza sauce.
Instructions:  Pull the top and bottom of the biscuit apart.

 Place 2 pieces of pepperoni with a cheese cube on top.  Place another two slices of pepperoni on top of the cheese cube.
Place second biscuit half on top of pepperoni and press the sides.  Seal well.

Place biscuits in a pan.  Place remaining biscuits side by side.  Spray or brush with butter and sprinkle with garlic.
Bake biscuits according to the time/temp on your biscuit can.
Serve with pizza sauce for dipping.

Chicken Philly Sandwich

I saw this recipe a few months back via foodfamilyfinds and I decided to try it out.  I didn't have a lot of hopes b/c it just seemed too easy.  It wasn't nearly complicated enough, but I was feeling lazy.  I.  Loved.  It. This is such a simple recipe, so delicious, and not too shabby on the calorie count...until you add the whole carbo boat you serve it in, but let's not judge.

Chicken Philly Sandwich

printable

*makes 4 sandwiches
Ingredients:  2 T butter, 1 large yellow onion (sliced), 2 green bell peppers (sliced), 2 T. Dale's Steak Seasoning (this is actually a liquid found near the steak sauces), slices of mozzarella cheese, hoagie buns.
Instructions:  Place the  onion and bell pepper slices at the bottom of your crockpot.  Place butter on top.  Toss the three chicken breast in the seasoning and a little salt and pepper to taste.  Pour over the vegetables.  Cook for 5 hours on low.  Serve on hoagie buns, melt cheese on top.

Spicy Sausage Balls

Last year I made these for New Year's Eve....I was talking to one of my friends as she was doing the exact same thing.  But...until then-these make an easy football snack or breakfast food.  I love the additional of rotel to give in a mini kick.  You can make these and freeze them in advance as well, and then pop them out and bake them when needed.  Super simple and delicious.  The original recipe came from PlainChicken.

Spicy Sausage Balls

PRINT RECIPE HERE

Ingredients:  1 can of Rotel (drained), 1 LB sausage, 3 cups of bisquick, 8 oz of cream cheese
Instructions:  Drain Rotel and chop it up even finer.  Mix all the ingredients well.  Roll into 1 inch balls.  Bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes.

Makes 4+ Dozen

Tim Tebow's Family Pizza

I saw this recipe at Taste of Home.  I don't know if it's REALLY Tebow's favorite...that's what they claim, but it was easy to throw together and tasty to devour, so....easy, delicious pizza gets my stamp of approval...because I'm sure he cares very deeply about this sort of thing!

Biscuit Dough Pizza

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Ingredients: 1 lb of ground beef, 1/2 chopped green pepper, 1 envelope of Italian-style spaghetti sauce mix, 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste, 3/4 can water, 1 tube (12 oz) of buttermilk biscuits, 1/4 cup plus 1 Tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese (divided), 2 cups (8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:  
1.  In a skillet, cook and stir beef and pepper over medium heat until the meat is not longer pink.  Drain.  Stir in sauce mix, tomato paste, and water.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until it is thick.  Stir occasionally.
2.  Separated the biscuits and press onto the bottom of a 9 inch deep dish pie plate or cake pan to form a crush.  Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of Parmesan.  Place meat mixture over, leaving a crush around the sides.
3.  Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.
4.  Bake at 400 for 15-18 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

6 servings  

Crockpot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

I know I liked this recipe b/c I was too busy eating it to get a 'before' photo of it.  I love chips and dips for football fun or 'just because' get togethers with friends...or me, myself, and I.  I was cleaning out my room last year and came across a ton of recipes I had stored away, including a whole book of recipes that came with a crockpot 2 crock pots ago.  I found this super easy recipe you can toss into the crockpot to do the work, and you don't have to be timing it to come out at just the right time, or worrying about how to keep it warm through the third quarter of the football game.  This stores well, and heats up just as well the next day.  Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip

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Ingredients:  2 8 oz packages of cream cheese (softened), 3/4 cup half and half, 1 Tablespoon of onion (finely chopped), 1 clove of garlic (minced), 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated), 10 oz bag of frozen cut spinach (thawed and drained well), 13 oz can of quartered artichoke hears (rinsed, drained, and chopped), 2/3 cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded) chips for serving

Instructions:  Combine the cream cheese and half and half in a bowl until well blended.  Add the remaining ingredients and stir well.  Pour the mix into a crockpot.  Cover and cook on high for 1 1/2 hour or 2 hours until warm.  

Frito Pie Dip

My favorite part about football?  The food you make to eat right before you nap through the game.  I saw this recipe last year at OhBiteIt and I thought....that sounds like my kind of dip.  It includes two of my favorite things.  Fat and calories.
So...if you two are looking for a way to add a few pounds to your hips, or a dip to try out for a football watching party....this did wonders for both of those goals in my life.  The plus side-I should be easy to spot in a football crowd.  ;o)

Frito Pie Dip

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Ingredients: 12 oz of cream cheese (softened), 1/2 cup mayo, 1 T. sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheddar, 1 can of your favorite chili, 1 pkt of Ranch Dressing Powdered mix, 1/2 c. of crispy and crumbled bacon, 2 T. steak sauce (I skipped this), 1 C. of crushed Fritos (save the remaining chips for dipping)
Instructions:
1.  In a bowl mix the cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, ranch pkt, and cheese.
2.  In a separate bowl mix the chili and steak sauce.
3.  Form a ball out of your cream mix, but create a well in the middle deep enough to hold your chili.
4.  I chilled the cream mix until I was ready to serve, then heated the chili a little and poured it in the middle.
5.  Stud the sides with Fritos and top the whole thing with the crush chips and bacon bits.
*The bacon bits are also optional-it just depends on your taste.  

Cornbread Jalapeno Poppers

 The only thing that successfully grows at my house are peppers.  They really like the sun, heat, and the fact I don't water them.  It's a win.  It's all I'm growing during summers from now on...so it was time to start padding the ol' recipe books.  I found and loved this recipe from ohbiteit.  It wasn't too hot b/c the seeds are removed, and I popped 6 too many poppers, but I'm going to make them again, like, yesterday b/c I seriously loved these.  Easy, yummy, totally fine at room temp-win win for a football party...or a party of one.  Just sayin'.
If this fits your need....

Cornbread Popper Recipe

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Ingredients: 12 medium to large jalapenos, 1 box of cornbread mix (plus all the ingredients the box calls for), 1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided), 1 cup of corn (fresh or drained from a can)
Instructions:  
1.  Slice and seed the jalapenos, cut out the veins (wear gloves if you have them, once you remove the seeds, the peppers aren't nearly as hot-but the juice is lethal-I learn this the hard way...every time).
2.  In a bowl mix the cornbread batter according to the box instructions, add the corn and 1 cup of the cheese.
3.  Fill each jalapeno half with batter.  Don't over fill.  Sprinkle the other 1/2 cup of cheese on top of your peppers.

 4.  Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes until the bread is firm and cooked all the way through.  Let them cool.

Jalapeno Poppers Cups

 Last summer I decided to grow jalapenos in my backyard.  Let me just say....they LOVE my yard.  And then...about August I was like, uhh...I didn't grow those for looks....so I got started hunting down recipes to try out using my peppers.  I found this one on Pillsbury's website and it was simple and tasty!

Jalapeno Popper Cup Recipe

Ingredients:  12opped green oz can jr biscuits with golden layers 4.5 oz can chopped green chilies (drained), 1/2 c. shredded cheddar, 1/3 c. mayo, 2 T. real bacon bit pieces, 1 t. minced onion, 20 oz jalapeno slices (I took the seeds out so it wasn't as hot)

Instructions:  Pull apart each biscuit (getting the flaky layers is important-it makes it so much easier to pull them in half).  

 Press each half into a mini (ungreased) muffin tin.  Press on the bottom and up the sides so that there is a scoop left in the middle.
Mix all the other ingredients except for the jalapeno slices.  Distribute evenly into each cup.  Place the sliced jalapenos on top.

 Bake at 375 for 15 minutes.  Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 20