Saturday, March 3, 2012

My Favorite Dips

 I love appetizers.

I love dips.

These are two of my favorite dips.

Both can be made without milk.  Bonus.  

String Beane would not touch either of these with a 10 foot pole.  So, sometimes I make them with milk and sometimes without.  Depends on the situation.

Both get a lot of positive comments and people always ask for the recipes.

So here are the recipes:

Spinach Dip
Ingredients
1 package of frozen chopped spinach, thaw and squeezed dry
1 cup sour cream (Toufutti Sour Supreme if making milk free)
1 cup Mayonnaise 
1 package Knorr dried Vegetable Soup Mix
1 can water chestnuts -chopped (optional)
1/2 of a medium onion, chopped or grated, to taste

Directions
Mix all ingredients and refrigerate overnight.  
Give this a quick stir before serving.
I love to dip this with the Barely Naked Pita Chips or Triscuits.

 There goes Mr. Homegrown with a Triscuit.  He loves this stuff.


My other very favorite dip is more of a Cheese Ball.  This one can also be made without milk.  Double bonus.

Dried Beef Cheese Ball

Ingredients
2 8oz blocks of cream cheese, softened (Toufutti Cream Cheese if you need it to be milk free)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire
2 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon Horseradish
1 teaspoon Dried Minced Onion, soaked in a little water to rehydrate
2 (2oz) packages dried beef, shredded in the food processor

Directions
Mix all ingredients together.  Form into a ball and refrigerate overnight.  You can also serve this immediately and will be more "dip" like in consistency.  

My favorite is to eat this with a Wheat Thin.  
 Here is Mr. Homegrown digging in with a Wheat Thin.


I have made both of these with and without the regular milk ingredients.  I can tell no difference in the Spinach Dip at all.  There is a small taste difference in the Dried Beef cheese ball, but both are really good.

These are great to have at a party where you want all the food allergy friendly so there will not be any chance of people dropping or mixing milk foods on safe foods.  
 
This way you can actually move away from the food table instead of guarding it like some sort of watch dog and offering to make everyone's plate.  Been there.   

I am linking up with Metamorphosis Monday and these other Awesome Parties!  Check 'em out.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Friday Favorites

I think I have the munchies!

Everywhere I look, there is something yummy looking to eat.

I think I am going to spend some time in the kitchen this weekend.

Here are my to 5 favorites to put on my 'to do' list.

Have you seen this?  OMG!  This looks genius.

Pinned Image
I haven't tried corn dogs in a while for the little Beanes.  I think it is time to give it another whirl.
Chicken teriyaki / Frango teriyaki
This looks yummy and healthy.

I will join the 'Dew Crew' and make this cake pretty soon!
Chocolate Chip Lava Cookies
No explanation necessary.

What have you pinned this week?

I am linking up with Finding Joy in my Kitchen again this week.  Go and check out what has made everyone else's list.


Sunday, February 26, 2012

Menu Plan Monday Feb. 27th

Almost every week I try mostly new recipes. 

I love to search online for new recipes and menu ideas.  Most of them are good and some of them are "repeaters", as Mr. Homegrown would say.

This week, I am using mostly Family Favorites.  They are our tried and true that the Little Beanes usually eat without complaint.  I am ready for a compliant free week.  I wonder if it will carry over into all parts of life and not just dinner?  One can dream.  

Monday
This will be our one new dish this week.  I am pretty sure it will be a winner since it has shrimp in it.

Tuesday
Broccoli
Applesauce

Wednesday
Bacon
Fruit

Thursday
Rice
Broccoli

Friday
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
Pinned Image
Green Eggs and Ham
This will just be Brown sugar and Pineapple Ham steak and green tinted Deviled Eggs
Mashed Potatoes
I think we will have some Hop on Pop popcorn and a family movie night afterwards! 
This kind of dinner  is what happens when you teach kindergarten/First Grade and then become a stay at home mom!

Weekend
Fried Chicken
Mashed Potatoes
Deviled Eggs
 
Kale Chips

I am linking up with Menu Plan Monday.  Go check out all of the menu plans and ideas.