Super Bowl Snacks

Narrowing down snacks for the big game is HARD.  We cannot decide.  Potato skins? Steak tips?  I could just eat cheesy garlic bread. Who knows what we will end up with.  We had a Super Bowl potluck at the office on Friday. Lots of wings were had so we probably won't have those. Searching our past favorites is not helping the decision making process. Do you have your snack plan solidified?

Honey Roasted Snack Mix

Pulled Pork Nachos

Twice Baked Loaded Potatoes

Browned Butter Snack Mix

Crescent Roll Pinwheels

Jalapeno Popper Pockets 

Caprese Garlic Bread

Cheesy Pull Apart Bread

Spinach Pull Apart Bread

Corn Dog Bites

 Hot Wings

Super Bowl Snacks: Dips!!

Are you ready for the Big Game this weekend?  I have more buy in than normal given the Patriot's are playing. In the end though I don't really care who wins but enjoy watching everyone else's excitement. I also enjoy the food.  Snacks, dips and desserts galore.  Mr. J and I are trying to nail down our menu for Sunday. I am sure it will include at least one dip. Here are some of my favorites.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Super Easy Cheesy Queso Dip

French Onion Dip

Baked Feta

Cheddar Ale Dip

Pizza Dip

Baked Brie

Smoked Salmon Spread

Five Layer Mexican Black Bean Dip

Super Bowl Party Appetizer Round Up

Are you ready for tomorrow's big game?  I could really care less about the actual game and really the commercials as well.  However I am looking forward to the food. Mr. J is definitely excited for the food but also to watch the Patriots.  We are still finalizing the options.  We typically end up with nachos and chicken wings and then a few other minor snacks.  I am torn because as much as I love chicken wings spicy food has not been my friend lately. For me, chicken wings must be hot and I just don't think a sweeter version would be satisfying. 

I will be going to the store later today to gather all of the ingredients. In case you are still in the planning phase here is a list of game day food you might consider.

Pulled Pork Nachos

Twice Baked Loaded Potatoes

Browned Butter Snack Mix

French Onion Dip

Five Layer Mexican Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Baked Feta

Cheddar Ale Dip

Super Easy Cheesy Queso Dip

Pizza Dip

Baked Brie

Hot Wings

Crescent Roll Pinwheels

Jalapeno Popper Pockets 

Caprese Garlic Bread

Cheesy Pull Apart Bread

Spinach Pull Apart Bread

Corn Dog Bites

Loaded Twiced Baked Potatoes

An easy game day appetizer food that is sure to please all palates.

Of course if you are like me I made a meal out of these little potatoes. I had one and then promptly went back for two more.  If you want these for a crowd you need to double the recipe.

I somehow managed to delete all of the other hundreds of photos of these potatoes when transferring them from my camera to my computer. They were there and then they weren't.  Sometimes I just don't even know.  Since at that point we had eaten them all I couldn't take more.  #bloggertroubles

You can switch up the topping to make them a bit healthier - scallions or broccoli anyone? These are decidedly not all that healthy with loads of cheese and bacon. They are delicious though. Mr. J talked about kicking up the heat aspect with paprika or cayenne.  I thought they had a nice kick on their own with the use of pepper jack cheese. Lately even the littlest spice seems really spicy.  

Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

by Emily Morris

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Keywords: bake appetizer bacon cheese potatoes Super Bowl

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Ingredients (6 potato skins)

• 3 Russet Potatoes
• Olive Oil
• Sea Salt or Kosher Salt
• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• Shredded Colby Jack Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, and Pepper Jack Cheese
• 3 Slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Drizzle each potato with olive oil and then in the salt to coat entirely.

Place the potatoes in the oven on tin foil and bake for 50-60 minutes. A fork should slice through the skin easily.

Allow to cool then slice open lengthwise and remove most of the white flesh into a bowl. Add the butter and cream cheese and using a potato masher begin mashing the insides. Add seasoning and mash until smooth.

Spoon back into each potato skin and top with cheese and bacon.

Place onto a baking dish and bake until the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.

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Browned Butter Snack Mix

Browned Butter Chex Mix-browned butter makes this Chex Mix better than the traditional and simply irresistible.

How is it Monday already?  I need another day.  I never want the weekends to end but this was was great.  Sunday evening came way too fast.  

I had big plans this week to finish the baby room. My role was actually to sit in the glider and direct Mr. J to finish the baby room.  However all those plans went out the window when Mr. J discovered (at 9 am Saturday morning no less) that this weekend we had a free Showtime preview.   Two of his favorite shows are on Showtime and they had just completed a season.  

What this means is that there was exactly 24 hours worth of viewing.  Plus the football games.  The good news is he totally manned up and got to work. We were able to get the crib and the closet done. All that is left is some basic cleaning and the changing table. 

Don't worry though. He was still able to fit in an awful lot of TV time. This meant couch time. And of course the snacking time came too.  I had all the ingredients for Chex Mix on hand and I thought I would whip some up for all of this TV watching.   

The browned butter and paprika take this mix up a notch. Plus I only added our favorites. Reason number 103 why homemade is always the better option.   A bit of cheesy flavor with the Cheddar Goldfish and some cashews for an extra treat.

Needless to say the huge container I put the finished product in for storage is already half gone.  We packaged up little baggies for each day of the week as well. If this keeps Mr. J from raiding my snack drawer I am all for making mix like this every week. 

Browned Butter Snack Mix

by Emily Morris

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Keywords: bake snack

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Ingredients (Makes 12 cups)

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cups Corn Chex cereal
• 4 cups Rice Chex cereal
• 2 cups pretzels
• 1 cup Cheddar Goldfish
• 1 cup cashews (or any other nut of choice)
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and continue to cook, swirling occasionally, until butter turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. This will take about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a small bowl.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the Chex cereal, pretzels, Goldfish and cashews. Stir to combine.

Add the Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to the brown butter. Stir until combined. Pour butter mixture over the cereal mixture and stir until evenly coated.

Pour the mixture on a large baking sheet and place in the oven for one hour. Stir every 10-15 minutes to ensure even baking. Remove from the oven and cool before eating.

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Super Easy Cheesy Queso Dip

Super easy, cheesy queso dip. Sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next Game Day party.  

Some could say that I am a day behind with my game day food post. I would like to think I am a week ahead. I am giving you 6 days to go out and have everything on hand for this yummy queso dip.  Of course, this recipe is super simple and you probably have all of the ingredients already.  

If fact I might even suggest you doing a trial run before Sunday rolls around. I tried this out and ended up eating the whole bowl for lunch.  

I try to eat fairly healthy from real foods although I do enjoy an occasional boxed mix dessert or canned soup now and then.  However there are some things I just cannot do. One of which is Velveeta cheese. That stuff really grosses me out. I always get a bit sad when I see a recipe that looks super yummy only to realize one of the key ingredients is Velveeta. 

Now I cannot officially say this is a true Velveeta replacement since I don't really know what that stuff actually tastes like although Mr. J is convinced it does.  What I do know is this cheese sauce is super good.  I gobbled up the first serving so fast I had to get more before Mr. J can down to try it out for himself. 

If Nachos aren't your things, hot dogs and broccoli could be just the base for this cheesy sauce. 

Super Easy Cheesy Queso Dip

by Emily Morris, 

Adapted from Cooking Light October 2014

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

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Ingredients (serves 6)

• 6 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 2 Tbsp salsa or hot sauce, your favorite brand

Instructions

In a medium sauce pan mix together shredded cheese and cornstarch.

Turn stove top to medium and add the evaporated milk. Using a rubber spatula or whisk stir constantly until the cheese is melted and smooth.

Add in salsa and combined.

Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Optional: If you don't want to have queso dip omit the salsa and use the plain cheese sauce for a hot dog topping or for broccoli.

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Spinach Pull Apart Bread

Spinach and cheese dough stacked to form a loaf are baked together for a foolproof appetizer perfect for any party.
 

Everyone always asks how Mr. J and I do it with our crazy schedules. To be honest, I don't really either. We just do. It is our lives.  We don't like being apart and we miss each other but it is what it is.

Then we go a stretch where we are both home. We get things done. We have fun. Life is good.  Of course another trip is pretty much always around the corner.  For me, that is the hardest part.

The last four days have been so wonderful.  Yes, my parents came last week but we really didn't do anything exceptional. We just lived life and enjoyed ourselves and simple pleasures. 

I think that is what this bread is all about. I whipped it up late at night for a work celebration last week. It is pull apart bread using crescent roll dough for Pillsbury.  I mixed up a filling using frozen chopped spinach, cream cheese, some salad dressing and spices. You roll out the dough, spread the filling, slice and stack the dough. Easy peasy.

Spinach Pull Apart Bread

by Emily Morris

Prep Time: 20 minues

Cook Time: 40 minutes

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Ingredients (serves 8)

• 1 1/2 teaspoons Garlic Salt
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup Parmesan salad dressing
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (2 oz)
• 1 box frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain and finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon Basil Leaves,
• 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated garlic butter crescent dinner rolls (16 rolls)
• 1 cup marinara sauce, heated, if desired

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 9 inch loaf pan generously with non-stick cooking spray.

In medium bowl, mix cream cheese, dressing, Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese, spinach, basil, garlic powder and pepper until blended; set aside.

Unroll one tube crescent dough. Using a rolling pin gently roll out dough to press together separate triangles into one piece. Spoon 1/2 of spinach mixture onto dough and spread evenly. Cut the rectangle into 8 smaller rectangles and stack loosely on top of each other.

Repeat with other tube of crescent dough. 

Place both stacks in loaf pan. The two stacks will not fill the pan completely but the dough will expand when baking.

Roll each ball in butter mixture; layer in pan. Bake 20 minutes then remove and top with remaining 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. Bake for 20-25 more minutes or until golden brown. 

Cool 5 minutes and remove pan. Cool 10 minutes longer. Serve warm with marinara sauce.

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Corn Dog Bites

What did I learned from these little corn dog bites?

Everyone needs a little nostalgia in their life.  

I grew up in Iowa. Each summer we headed to the State Fair for a few days of fun.  And although I was never a huge fan of hot dogs I loved corn dogs.  They were a must have at the State Fair.  I haven't had a corn dog in years but this weekend I knew that was just what I wanted.

Some times the simplest things are the best.

Mr. J often takes my plans for dinner and tries to turn them into something more elaborate. An additional dish or a more complicated main dish. This can be fun and we have created some really memorable meals this way.  However, when he doesn't get the chance to switch things up, we still have some really good meals.  These corn dogs were just that. When I laid out this tray on the table for lunch Mr. J's eye's lighted up.  Topped with a little mustard and ketchup these were the perfect bites for lunch.  No fancy cheese or spices needed.

The recipe below is using our favorite cornbread recipe. It is slightly sweet. You can make these though using any cornbread recipe or box mix.

Corn Dog Bites

by Emily Morris

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Keywords: bake appetizer

6059515

Ingredients (12 muffins)

• 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 package of your favorite hot dog - you will need 6, halved

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together melted butter, yogurt, milk, and eggs until smooth.

In a separate bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients in two batches, stirring until just incorporated after each batch.

Fill paper-lined muffin tins 3/4 full. Gently place one hot dog piece in the middle of each muffin upright.

Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the hot dog is slightly crisp.

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