Chili Dip

This recipe is one you can adjust to the size of crowd you would be feeding. (With what is listed below, I served 5 people - 1/2 C serving  each and had about 2 C leftover)  

3 cans of Hormel Chili (with beans)

1 8oz. Cream Cheese (cut into smaller chunks)

2 tsp. Taco Seasoning

Grated Cheddar Cheese

Chips for dipping

Add chili, taco seasoning and cream cheese chunks into crock pot.  You are only cooking it long enough to melt down the cream cheese.  If you are in a hurry, put it on high.  I like to simmer mine for about three hours on low, stirring every thirty minutes.  Before serving you can add grated cheese to the entire batch, or serve it separately on the side.

Caked Oreo's

I found this recipe over here at Picky Palate.  Her version is NOT GF, but I switched a few things to make them work for us.  I chose to use a GF cake mix rather than the brownie mix.  The cake mix tends to be a bit more runny which makes covering the Oreo's a little easier. They are DELICIOUS!!  These little cakes are simple to make and very adaptable for any holiday or occasion.

 

1 Brownie mix (I used Betty Crocker Chocolate Cake Mix)
1 package GF Oreo's (I used Kinnikinnick Brand)
White chocolate, melted for drizzle
Sprinkles

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare cake/brownie batter according to package directions. Leave in mixing bowl. Dip Oreos in cake/brownie batter, then place in bottom of cupcake tins that have been generously sprayed with cooking spray. (I used cupcake liners in mine instead of spraying them. I do not enjoy cleaning/washing cupcake pans!) Bake for 12-15 minutes, until cake/brownie is cooked through (doesn’t take long). As soon as you remove, take a plastic knife and run along edges if not using liners, (this is VERY important so you can get the cake/brownie and cookie out together.
2. Let cool for 5 minutes, remove and drizzle with melted white chocolate and add sprinkles.
 Enjoy !!

** There are only about 21 cookies in the Kinnikinnick Oreo package, so I just made candy cane cupcakes with the rest of the batter.  (I smashed a bunch of candy canes and stirred them in into the batter).

Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

I seriously cannot believe that I have not posted this recipe....We use it all the time!!  I LOVE the Olive Garden's Alfredo sauce, and a couple of years ago I received a collection of recipes in a cookbook that has a imitation version of their alfredo sauce.  It is SO good, you almost don't miss the bread sticks !!

Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

1 pint of Heavy Whipping Cream

1 cube of real butter
2 TB Cream Cheese
1 tsp garlic ( a like to use about 2 tsp)
½ - ¾ C Parmesan Cheese
**I like to add Black Pepper (add to your liking)

Melt together whipping cream, butter and cream cheese. Add garlic and parmesan cheese. Simmer together for 15 minutes or until smooth. Will thicken slightly. Pour over cooked pasta. We like to add chicken and sometimes broccoli.

**My personal opinion...Trader Joe's has the best Brown Rice Noodles.  In our area you can get a 16 ounce bag for $1.99.  That is the cheapest price for the best tasting noodle!!

Holiday Popcorn

This is a easy holiday treat.  All I did was pop up some popcorn, drizzled white chocolate and milk chocolate all over it and then sprinkled crushed cashews and red hots on it.  This is just the beginning of many possibilities.  You can add just about anything to this....M&M's, marshmallow, peanuts, dried cranberries...be creative!!  Fill a holiday tin or a cute treat bag and tie it off with some curling ribbon.  Makes for a great gift.

Popped popcorn (I used 1 cup of kernels)

Milk Chocolate (2 cubes)

White Chocolate (2 cubes)

Crushed Cashews

Pop popcorn and try to remove as many loose kernels as possible.  Spread out evenly over a large baking sheet.  Melt chocolates (separately) in double boiler (I made my own by placing a bowl over a small sauce pan filled with water.  Turn heat to medium high).  Drizzle melted chocolate over popcorn.  If using any other mix-in, add them now.  Place baking sheet in a cool/cold place and let chocolate set.