Friday, October 5, 2007

200th post, help needed, and a prize

Hello bloggy friends!

This is my 200th post, so I'm offering a contest, but you MUST read the entire post and leave a comment by Saturday evening at 12:00 (EASTERN TIME). I don't know how to turn off my comments, but I'll check at 12:01 and write down the name of every commenter, then I'll draw from a hat for a super prize (to be named below).

HELP NEEDED:
M's 2nd birthday party is Sunday afternoon. So far, this is my menu for the guests:
Pumpkin shaped cake
Pumpkin/gingerbread trifle for the adults
Party mix (Chex mix, candy corn, plain m&m's, reese's pieces)
Hot toddy for the grown ups
Juice for the kiddos
Some type of salty appetizer (maybe a dip?)

You (YES, you) can be the winner of a great prize if you'll leave a comment with the recipe for your favorite (preferably easy) appetizer. Not only will I make your appetizer, but I'll send you a prize--just for leaving your favorite recipe in your comment! But you MUST leave your comment by Saturday evening.

PRIZE: Since I'm a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I'm offering a new Stampin' Up! alphabet set ($27.95) and stamp pad ($5.25) for the winner of this prize. (Check out www.stampinup.com and look at the online catalog at the amazing alphabet sets!)

And I'm doing this because this is my 200th post. And I love my bloggy friends. So, pass the word along. I'm in great need of some good appetizer recipes!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Alrighty...I'm game!
Here is one of the EASIEST and most delicious things I like to make for a party:
(by the way, I stole/took/borrowed this recipe from a teacher friend of mine a few years ago.)
Baked Brie with Praline Pecans:
*Large circle of brie (I find them at the Tom Hill Sr. Kroger)
*Brown sugar
*Chopped pecans
*Butter pats
(no measuring necessary...so you can use as much or as little as you like!)
- Scrape off the coating all over the brie.
-Pour brown sugar on top to cover the whole circle.
-Sprinkle pecans on top of sugar.
-Cut butter into pats and scatter on top of the nuts.
-Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. (Watch it/ check every so often to be sure it is not getting too melted.)
-Serve WARM with your favorite crackers or bread pieces.
You will LOVE it! (Even if I do not win, which would be fine...this does make a nice appetizer for a party. I have taken it to Fall gatherings and Christmas parties.)
Much love...happy cooking!
Andi

Kyla said...

I am absolutely NO help! Josh is the cook around here. LOL. I will say I love a good spinach dip, though.

Anonymous said...

My Favorite appetizer - you may have had it before!
It's SOOOOO Easy

New Orleans Dip

8 oz cream cheese
1 c shredded cheddar
1 tsp mustard
2 Tbsp Worcestershire
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Mix cream cheese and cheddar into ball. Chill.

Mix all other ingredients and pat around ball. Chill

Serve with water crackers

Susie said...

okay, i feel like i should get a complimentary drawing since i came up with the pumkin shaped cake, the trail mix, the pans to cook them in, and the Kohl's coupon!!!!!!!!!! what do ya think?!! good idea! very nice prize! i really want it!!!

m's party is going to be a hit! can't wait!

Christina said...

I like to make sausage and cheese dip. Brown some sausage, melt some Velveeta cheese (this is the only time I ever use the stuff!) and mix it together with a can of Rotel tomatoes. Yum!

Congrats on 200 posts!!

Colleen @AMadisonMom said...

I'm no help. Our favorites all come from appetizers section in Trader Joes. But, I'm stealing the suggestions you're getting!

Anonymous said...

Nat,
Someone mentioned spinach dip, so I thought I'd give you the recipe that I made for Ana's shower. Do NOT put my name in twice...I just thought this might help! :)
(In case you ever loose this recipe, it is on the back of the KNORR vegetable recipe mix package. I always double the recipe for parties.)
* 1 10 oz. package of frozen chopped spinach (thawed and squeezed dry)
* 1 16 oz. container of sour cream
* 1 package of KNORR vegetable recipe mix
* 1 8 oz. can of water chestnuts (drained and chopped)
* 1 cup of mayonnaise
- Combine all ingredients, stir well.
- Chill at least 2 hours (overnight is best, if possible)
- Serve with your favorite corn chips (I use Scoops) or crackers.

M's party is going to be so much fun! She's growing up so fast...I can not wait to see her with her friends and her cute outfit!
Oh yeah, there's also a recipe for "Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip" on the back of the KNORR package; I've never tried that one, but it does sound great.
Love, Andi

Anonymous said...

Ok,
Simple and yummy for everyone are little smokie sausages with a jar of barbQ sauce poured over the top. Put in your crock pot and you're done.

NExt, yummy and still pretty healthy
Chilled Vegetable Pizza
2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (8 ounce) package dry ranch dressing mix
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon season salt
1/2 teaspoon dill
1 cup finely chopped onions
1 cup finely chopped broccoli
1 cup finely chopped cauliflower
1 cup finely chopped carrots
# Place the unrolled crescent dough onto a pizza pan.
# Spread the dough out with your hands until it covers the pan.
# Bake about 10 minutes at 400 degrees F until lightly browned.
# While its baking, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise and Ranch dressing, garlic powder, dill and salt.
# Mix well.
# Remove the crust from the oven and let it cool.
# Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust, then top with the chopped vegetables.
# Cut into wedges and serve.

This one I borrowed from my friend Paula Deen
Sugar and Nut glazed Brie w/your favorite salty crackers

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Sugar and Nut Glazed Brie
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
Show: Paula's Home Cooking
Episode: Holiday Show
Sugar and Nut Glazed Brie
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts or pecans
1 tablespoon brandy
1 (14-ounce) round brie
Apple wedges, for serving
Pear wedges, for serving
2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice
Crackers, for serving

In a small bowl stir together the sugar, nuts, and brandy. Cover and chill for at least 24 hours or up to 1 week.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.

Place the brie on an ovenproof platter or pie plate. Bake for 4 or 5 minutes or until the brie is slightly softened. Spread the sugar mixture in an even layer on top of the warm brie and bake for 2 to 3 minutes longer, or until the sugar melts. Brush the fruit wedges with lemon juice and arrange them around 1 side of the brie. Place crackers around the other side.

This was my favorite before I became a vegetarian.
Won Ton Wrapper Appetizers
* 1 (16 ounce) package wonton wrappers
* 1 pound sausage
* 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
* 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
* 1/2 cup chopped black olives, drained
* 1 cup Ranch-style salad dressing

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DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a miniature muffin pan with cooking spray.
2. Insert wonton wrappers into the muffin pan so as to form small cups. Bake 5 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow the baked wrappers to cool. Remove from the pan.
3. In a medium bowl, mix the sausage, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, black olives and Ranch-style dressing. Fill the baked wonton wrapper cups with the mixture.
4. Bake the filled wonton wrappers 10 to 15 minutes, until the sausage mixture is bubbly and slightly brown. Watch closely so the wonton wrappers do not burn.
My mother-in-law's black bean, salsa recipe
1 can drained black beans
1 can drained WHITE shoepeg corn
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can Rotel tomatoes
8 ounces Italian Dressing
pinch basil, oregano

Optional chopped onion & jalepeno to taste

Pickle roll ups-We used to serve this at Cafe South PM
Take some thinly sliced ham or turkey and put cream cheese on top, then roll a pickle up inside.
Yum!
And last, but not least...
If all of those fail, because you are my GOOD, GOOD friend,
I'll bring you Coolickles.

Stacy said...

Dang, missed it! Well, I hope you have a great party today and Happy Birthday M!

Anonymous said...

Saturday? As in Saturday that has past? I missed it? Or do you mean next Saturday? Geez, it's bad to be old and slow.

Congratulations on your 200th. I'll be here for the next 200. :)

Arizaphale said...

Mmmmmm. Might have to print these out. Missed the deadline as we were away but am a rubbish cook anyway. Congrats on your 200th post!!
Oh, I do have one thing I always do...upend a container of Philly Cream Cheese on a platter, empty a jar of salsa over the top and surround with corn chips. Very more-ish!

kim said...

I love Stampin' Up! Our demonstrator quit a while ago any my neighbors and I have been in Stampin' Up! withdrawal. I will remember you, though, should we decide to put an order in sometime!