Party Cheese Ball

I made this cheese ball for a party and also for my coworkers. It disappeared very quickly!

Party Cheese Ball

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 cups (8 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or any kind)
1 jar (5 oz) sharp American cheese spread
1 jar (5 oz) pimento cheese spread
3 TBSP finely chopped onion
1 TBSP lemon juice
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Dash garlic salt
½ cup chopped pecans, toasted
½ cup minced fresh parsley
Assorted crackers

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, combine the first eight ingredients; beat until blended. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes or until easy to handle.

Shape into two balls; roll one ball in pecans and one in parsley. (My note: I made one large cheese ball and coated it with pecans.) Cover and refrigerate. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving with crackers.

Yields 2 cheese balls (1 ¾ cups each) or one large cheese ball. Enjoy!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Jamocha Punch

Boil 1 1/2 quarts water.

Stir in:

1/2 cup dry Instant Chocolate Milk mix
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup instant coffee

Refrigerate overnight.

To make punch:
Shake or stir coffee mixture. In punch bowl, combine coffee mixture with 1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream and 1/2 gallon coffee ice cream. Serve and enjoy!

Chicken Noodle Casserole

This casserole needs to be prepared a day in advance. A great recipe for working moms or guests. In large mixing bowl, combine:
2 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
1 cup broken dried noodles (I used Kluski noodles but any egg noodles would work)
1 can mushroom pieces
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 cups Monterey Jack cheese
2 cups milk

Pour mixture into 9 x 12 pan. Refrigerate 24 hours or overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until done. Enjoy!

Chocolate Pound Cake

Recipe will be posted soon. I made this cake for a coworker's birthday yesterday. It is delicious and VERY chocolatey!

Hot Chai Tea Drink (Alcoholic)

Chai Tea is one of my favorite teas to drink. I get it at Starbucks, buy it at Kroger, and carry extra tea bags in my purse. My brother introduced me to a new way to make Chai Tea and I LOVE IT! I just have to share. . . but be warned that it is alcoholic.

Make a strong pot of hot black tea and sweeten to your liking.

Pour 4 oz. of hot tea in mug or coffee cup
Add 4 shots Voyant Chai Cream liqueur
Add 1 shot Godiva Chocolate liqueur

Enjoy!

Easter Cupcakes

10 Minute Beef Stroganoff

This takes me more than ten minutes to make but is quick and easy. Our oldest son, Jason, has this memorized and loves to impress his girlfriends and their families with this recipe!

1 large minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced or chopped (I buy it in a jar already minced)
shortening
1 lb. ground beef (or a little more)
2 TBSP flour
1 tsp salt & 1/4 tsp pepper
1 lb. fresh sliced mushrooms (or one can, drained)
10 1/2 oz. cream of chicken or mushroom soup, undiluted
1 cup sour cream
1 lb. egg noodles, cooked

Saute onion & garlic in shortening over medium heat in large saucepan. Add meat & brown. Drain excess fat. Stir in flour, salt & pepper, and mushrooms. Cook for five minutes. Stir in soup. Simmer, uncovered, for five minutes. Blend in sour cream & heat through. Pour over cooked noodles. Serves 3-4 people.

Cream Cheese Vegetable Dip

Another family favorite - I like to serve veggies and dip when company comes instead of a salad because it gives them something to munch on while they're hanging around the kitchen. Even kids will eat their vegetables. Healthy, too.

Mix together well:

8 oz. softened cream cheese
1/4 cup tomato juice or V-8 juice
1 pkg of dry Italian dressing
a few tablespoons of sour cream, if desired

Serve immediately with vegetables or refrigerate until ready to eat.

Vegetable Choices:
Carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, peppers (green, yellow, & red), sugar snap pea pods, cauliflower, broccoli, sliced cucumbers.

Sloppy Joes

SLOPPY JOES

Brown 1 1/2 pounds ground beef with one onion, chopped.

Drain.

Add one bottle of Heinz Chili sauce and 3/4 bottle water.

Let simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Serve on buns. Enjoy!

This recipe was given to me by my Aunt Nelda and I've made it for years. My kids will eat it right up!

Grape Jelly

GRAPE JELLY (EASY!)

Microwave Recipe (need four half-pint jelly jars)

Before making, pour hot water over jar lids and rings. Set aside.

In a large bowl combine: (I use a glass bowl with handle made by Pampered Chef)

2 cups Grape Juice, unsweetened (Welch's is best)
3 1/2 cups sugar

Heat on high for 10-12 minutes in microwave for 10-12 minutes until mixture is boiling. Stir twice during first 4 minutes of heating.

Stir in:

1 packet liquid pectin (Certo or other brand) (usually has two packets per box)

Heat 4-6 minutes until mixture comes to a full boil. Boil an additional one minute. Skim off any foam. Spoon or pour into jars (careful, it is hot!). Wipe edges of jar with clean paper damp paper towel before placing lids on top. Screw tight. Jars will *pop* as the jelly sets and cools.

Makes four beautiful 1/2 pint jars of jelly. Enjoy!

My kids grew up on this jelly and do not like it when I buy store bought jelly. You can use other kinds of juice, too. Great for quick gifts at Christmas or any other time.

Chicken Divine

My kids love this recipe and all three of our boys have requested it on separate occasions this week. Jason sent a message to me today asking for the recipe so he can cook it for his girlfriend. Chris mentioned earlier last week that we haven't had it for a while. And Brad, who will be 21 next week, wants it for his birthday dinner! So, here is the recipe:

Chicken Divine (It's really Chicken Divan but that is what the kids call it!)

2 - 10 oz packages frozen broccoli
2 cups sliced turkey or 3 chicken breasts, cooked and boned (can use rotisserie chicken, too)
2 cans cream of chicken or mushroom soup
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp curry powder
1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
1 TBSP melted butter
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cook broccoli until tender. Arrange in 9 x 13 greased casserole dish. Place chicken on top of broccoli. Combine soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, curry powder and pour over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese. Combine crumbs & butter & sprinkle over all. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes until done. Serves 6 - 8 people.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

I got this recipe from another blogger, Jules, at Everyday Mommy and she gave me permission to put it here. I made it on Sunday and it was very good, especially on a cold day. Served it with garlic bread on the side.

JULES' BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP

4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
2 large cans chicken broth1 cup shredded carrots
2 c milk (at least 2%)2 cans cream celery soup4 tbsp corn starch
1/2 c cold water
4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Simmer broccoli and shredded carrots in chicken broth until just tender. In bowl. mix cream of celery and milk. Mix corn starch in water and add to cream of celery and milk. Blend well. Add to simmering chicken stock. Simmer till soup begins to thicken. Add cheese and stir until cheese is thoroughly melted. Add more cheese to suit your taste. Salt and pepper to taste.

Tip: Add a dash or two of cayenne pepper for a little extra kick.