Cheese Balls

This recipe only takes me 2 minutes to make and is a yummy appetizer to share with others.

Ingredients:

2 packages (8 ounces) Cream Cheese, softened (regular or 1/3 reduced fat)

1 package (8 ounces) Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce

4 slices of bacon (cooked and crumbled) - I omit this from my cheese balls

Crackers to serve on the side

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and roll in three balls (large, medium and small).
Place on a platter in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.

Freezer Instructions:

Assemble cheese balls  and wrap securely in saran wrap and freezer bags. Defrost in fridge a few hours before gifting or using.

I use a carrot for the nose, pretzels for arms and raisins for the eyes, mouth and buttons, but you can also use peppercorns. It is not necessary to have a hat, but since I had oreos and large marshmallows on hand my boys asked me to give him a hat.

Submitted by: Caroline G.

"This recipe can also be rolled in nuts of your choice and in the shape of one or two cheese balls and freezes beautifully!"

Sausage Balls

These are easy and tasty. A great make ahead  party appetizer or to serve guests".


1 pound of bulk pork sausage (you can use any flavor or heat).
2 cups of Bisquick or a homemade substitute
3 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese


*I added a bit of Worcestershire Sauce to my mixture, however, this is not in the original recipe


Mix all ingredients together using your hands. I would suggest combining the sausage and the Bisquick first and adding the cheese last. You may have to work at it to get everything incorporated, but it will come together.
Roll about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture in a ball. Repeat until done.
Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.


Freezer instructions: Roll into balls and flash freeze on wax paper on a cookie tray. When the sausage balls have hardened move to freezer bags. Thaw in your fridge and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.


Submitted by:  Caroline G.

Sausage Balls

Ingredients:
1 pound of bulk pork sausage (you can use any flavor or heat).
2 cups of Bisquick or a homemade substitute
3 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese

*I added a bit of Worcestershire Sauce to my mixture, however, this is not in the original recipe

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients together using your hands. I would suggest combining the sausage and the Bisquick first and adding the cheese last. You may have to work at it to get everything incorporated, but it will come together.
Roll about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture in a ball. Repeat until done.
Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

If you desire to freeze to use later you can roll into balls and flash freeze on wax paper on a cookie tray. When the sausage balls have hardened move to freezer bags. Thaw in your fridge and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

Submitted by: Caroline G.
Source: www.onceamonthmom.com

"These are easy and tasty. A great make ahead item for a Christmas party appetizer or to serve guests. I made a batch this afternoon and baked some and placed the rest uncooked in the freezer for Christmas".

PIZZA PINWHEELS

Ingredients:

1 (8 ounce) can refrigerated crescent roll dough
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
24 slices pepperoni
1 (14 ounce) can of pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

On a large baking sheet, pinch the 8 crescent roll dough triangles into 4 rectangles. Layer each rectangle with 6 slices of pepperoni and even amounts of mozzarella cheese. Roll tightly lengthwise and slice each into four of more pieces.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Serve with warmed sauce for dipping.

Submitted by: Caroline G.

Source: http://www.allrecipes.com/

You can modify this with different cheeeses and can all do the prep work and regrigerate before slicing and baking. These are great for snacks after school, lunch for the kids or for a gathering of family and friends!

MEXICAN PINWHEELS

MEXICAN PINWHEELS

Ingredients:

8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
4 oz. can chopped green chilies
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons picante sauce
Small jar pimento
Dash of garlic salt
Dash of onion powder
4-6 flour tortillas

Instructions:

Mix all together and spread finely on flour tortillas. Roll and refridgerate overnight. Cut into 1/2 inch slices and enjoy.

Source: Unknown

Submitted by: Candy M.

COWBOY CAVIAR

COWBOY CAVIAR

Ingredients:

1 can shoepeg corn
1 can blackeyed peas-drain and rinse
1 avacado-chopped
2/3 cup chopped green onion

Blend the following in blender:

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic-pressed
3/4 tsp.salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. cumin

Directions:

Pour blended mixture over other ingredients. Refrigerate. Serve with tortilla chips. The Tostito Scoops work real well.

Source: Unknown

Submitted by: Candy M.

CHICKEN PUFF APPETIZERS

CHICKEN PUFF APPETIZERS

Ingredients:

Puffs:

2 Tablespoons Butter
1/4 Cup boiling water
1/4 Cup flour
dash salt
1 egg
1/4 Cup shredded Swiss cheese

Instructions:

Melt butter in 1/4 cup boiling water. Add flour and salt. Stir vigorously. Cook and stir till mixture forms a ball that doesn't separate. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Add egg and beat vigorously until smooth. Stir in cheese. Drop 1 level tsp. dough onto greased baking sheet. Bake 20 min. at 400. Cool and split.

Filling:

2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped pimiento (optional)
2 Tablespoons dry white wine
1/4 cup mayo
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash pepper

Combine all ingredients. Fill each puff with 2 teaspoon filling.

Source: Unknown

Submitted by: Julie U.

PESTO SHRIMP WITH GUACAMOLE APPETIZERS

PESTO SHRIMP WITH GUACAMOLE APPETIZERS

Ingredients:

15 -30 raw, de-veined, shelled, and de-tailed shrimp
Prepared pesto
Prepared guacamole
Round table water crackers (like Carrs)
Diced tomatoes or prepared salsa
Sour cream

Instructions:

Place shrimp in plastic bag or container of prepared pesto. Let marinade for awhile. Pre-heat broiler. Spread shrimp on non-stick aluminum covered cookie sheet. Broil for 5-8 minutes. Top crackers with prepared guacamole, a small amount of diced tomatoes or prepared salsa, a small dollop of sour cream and the shrimp. Serve immediately.

Source: "This is one of the few recipes I came up with myself. I was trying to mimic the shrimp tostada bites at Z'Tejas."

Submitted by: Amy J.

CHEESEBALL

CHEESEBALL

Ingredients:

2 - 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese
1/2 lb. sharp Cheddar cheese (2 cups shredded)
1/2 tsp. grated onion
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
2-1/4 oz. can deviled ham
2 Tbsp. pimento
2 Tbsp. parsley
1/2 cup finely diced pecans (I ground them fairly fine)

Instructions:

Soften cream cheese in a small bowl, beating with electric mixer. Beat in Cheddar cheese and next 8 ingredients. Stir in parsley and pimento. Cover and refrigerate until firm enough to handle. Shape into ball and coat evenly with nuts. Wrap in plastic wrap or foil to refrigerate. This makes 3-4 cheeseballs.

Source: "I got this recipe many years ago from a friend. It is delicious and it freezes well. I make several and freeze them, then pull one out when I need an appetizer. I also give them as gifts during the holidays."

Submitted by: Amy J.

ARTICHOKE DIP

ARTICHOKE DIP

Ingredients:

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 can (14 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained & chopped
1 can (4 oz) green chilis, or jalapenos, chopped
1/2 C mayonnaise
1/2 C grated parmesan chees
2 Tbs finely chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried basil
2 Tbs finely chopped red onion
2 Tbs finely chopped green onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 C chopped tomatoes

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients, except tomatoes with mixer on medium speed until well blended. Spoon into pie plate & bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with tomatoes & serve with vegetables, bread or crackers.

Source: Amy J's good friend Sandy, except my version is ever so slightly different. Hers calls for crab, mine calls for chilis.

Submitted by: Robyn S.

MINI FRITTATAS WITH HAM AND CHEESE

MINI FRITTATAS WITH HAM AND CHEESE

Ingredients:

1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2/3 cup chopped ham
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 Tablesppons chopped chives
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
4 large egg whites
1 large egg

Instructions:

Saute onion and ham for 3 min., then set aside to cool slightly. Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl and stir with a whisk. Stir in ham mixture. Spoon into 24 mini muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Source: Cooking Light Magazine

Submitted by: Lori S.
"I like taking this popular appetizer to baby showers".

HAM AND CHEESE BUNS

HAM AND CHEESE BUNS

Ingredients:

Croissant (or plain) Roll Dough, Found in your grocers refrigerated section
Swiss cheese, diced in small chunks
Ham (I use lunch meat type), diced in small chunks

Instructions:

Flatten out roll dough on a cookie sheet.
Place a half dozen chunks each of cheese and ham in center of each piece of dough.
Roll up and pinch dough shut so that cheese does not ooze out while baking.
Follow baking directions on roll package.
It is usually 10-15 min. on 350.

Source: Grandma

Submitted by: Lori S.
"My grandma used to make these for us when we were young and out swimming in the summertime. It is a simple, fun favorite for the kids".