Marinated Cheddar Cheese -Honey & Thyme

I whipped up this Marinated Cheese from the latest edition of Food Network Magazine as soon as I saw it. With the exception of fresh thyme (unfortunately my plant gave up the ghost this year), everything was on-hand. I subbed a little dry thyme, but highly recommend using a few sprigs of fresh if you can get it. Simply mix a couple ingredients, stir in some cubed cheddar, let sit for 30 minutes, stir and serve. It's a nice easy addition to charcuterie boards, appy trays, and football munchies. Served with team colored food picks of course:@)

Other options:

Marinated Mozzarella and Olives & Marinated Pepperoni and Cheese

Marinated Cheddar Cheese-from Food Network

8 oz sharp cheddar into 1/2" cubes

1/3 C olive oil

2 Tblsp honey

Few thyme sprigs

1/4 tsp kosher salt

Big pinch red pepper flakes

~Toss together, transfer to covered jar, marinate 30 minutes at room temperature before serving.

Enjoy a snack and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Easy Pumpkin Maple Meatballs -2 Ingredients

I don't think these Pumpkin Maple Meatballs could get any easier folks. Your favorite frozen meatballs, a jar of pumpkin maple spread from Aldi (or any store that has something similar), and a slow cooker. I used my Little Dipper Crock Pot and about half a jar of the jam. Only two ingredients Lynn? Ok, if you'd like to add a little something else... How about some pumpkin pie spice. Or dare I say... Maybe a few shakes of hot sauce? But honestly, my crew says it was perfect as is. And I mean the whole crew this time! This is a nice sweet seasonal treat perfect to snack on after leaf raking, a trip apple picking, or pumpkin hunting at the garden center. 

And of course it's great for... 

Football parties:@)

How to make a Barbie Crock Pot here.

Let's change up our hosting routine and try something new while the pumpkin flavors are available! Maybe even tuck a jar away for Thanksgiving... Just a thought.

The Aldi jam I used:

As a point of reference I used 14 bite size meatballs and half of a 12.5 oz jar in my Little Dipper Crock Pot. There was room for a few more meatballs.

Pumpkin Maple Meatballs

1. 1 lb+ frozen cooked meatballs
2. 12 oz jar Pumpkin Maple Spread
3. Place meatballs in slow cooker, cover and cook on high for an hour.
4. Pour jam over meatballs reserving a few tablespoons to stir in before serving. 
5. Turn temp to low, place paper towel under lid, and cook for about two more hours or until heated through. (My Little Dipper is only one temp, I use at least 2 1/2 hours).
6. Stir in reserved jam. 
7. Stir and serve with fun food picks. 

🍁🏈Enjoy a snack and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Just Bare Chicken -Good stuff folks!

I live alone and as the years go by I seem to be more drawn to the idea of convenience food. Things that cut out just a bit of prep, and most importantly, a lot of clean up. Can anyone relate? I thought so:@) The issue is, unless your budget allows very high end products, sometimes the quality is lacking. Most of you know Buffalo Chicken is one of my favorite things. Nothing better than tossing some nuggets into the air fryer, slathering with sauce, cutting up some veggies, and calling it Saturday (or game day) lunch. 

*Barbie's chicken is cut out of a sale ad... Just Bare needs to get ahold of the Mini Verse or Zuru people!

When it comes to chicken nuggets I've tried them all. Well, maybe not the dinosaur shaped ones, but all the rest-ha. I have finally found what I consider the most 'fried chicken' like nuggets. No extra spices, no funny after taste from the oil used in the breading, no excessive breading, and no ground up shaped mystery meat. Just whole white meat chicken breast cut to bite size appetizer pieces with a light breading. 

As the angels sing...

Have you tried Just Bare Chicken Breast Bites? My co-worker grabbed me a big bag at Sam's Club, but they are also sold in 22-24 oz packs at regular supermarkets. Not inexpensive, but not excessively expensive either. They go on sale for about $8. 10-12 minutes in the air fryer and I have a hot protein that satisfies. **Please note, I am not affiliated with or being paid for this post. Just sharing something I've been enjoying. But as I shamelessly always say, if they want to send me a little somethin'-somethin', I eat a lot of chicken. Just sayin' :@)

Don't hesitate to give them a try folks, they also have strips and fillets. I like the bites for charcuterie, appy's and dipping. Maybe put out a bunch of different sauces for your next football party or get together. Also good on salads, tacos, or as a short cut for chicken parmesan. Anything goes!

🏈Eat well and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Hamburger Meatballs with Ketchup Sauce -Slow Cooker Appetizer

The idea behind these Hamburger Meatballs with Ketchup Sauce is, they are for the gathering where burgers are -not- being served. This is a nice easy appy that starts with frozen meatballs and has a four ingredient sauce. The sauce is sweet and very similar to the topping some meatloaf recipes call for. And best of all, just toss it into a slow cooker (I used my Little Dipper Crock Pot) and let it heat up while you straighten up the house, or gather your team gear and get ready for the game. I say add a pizza and it's a party:@) The recipe below is specifically for the 2 Cup Little Dipper Crock Pot, you'd need to increase it as desired.

I had to chuckle, while on my bloggy break my son said the thing he missed the most were the different meatball recipes, here you go Jay:@) Football may be done for now, but March Madness is right around the corner and so is baseball season... Should be another fun year for the Phillies!

Slow Cooker Hamburger Meatballs

1/2 C ketchup

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp yellow mustard

1 Tblsp relish, I used sweet relish, didn't have dill on-hand

8oz-ish frozen meatballs (or enough to fill Little Dipper Crock Pot)

1. Add sauce ingredients to vessel, stir to combine.
2. Add meatballs, stir to coat. 
3. Put paper towel under lid, cook for 2 1/2-3 hours or until meatballs are hot.
4. Serve with fun food picks.

Snack Well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Easiest Football Snack Ever... GO BIRDS!!!

Presentation is everything folks... Team Color Jello Jigglers make the easiest kid friendly football munchie ever. Or, for an adult theme'd party, they can be deconstructed Jello Shots. I simply used a baking dish and cut them into squares. Is there still enough time to make them before the Big Game today? Absolutely. I put them outside in the 33 degree weather to set up quicker, they can also be put into the freezer for about 30 minutes, then finish firming up in the fridge.

Ha, Ha, just killing time before the game folks...

And as you're visiting thrift stores, there are specific sports molds floating around... I found this one back in 2015. Note: I'm tickled that this Jello Mold was for a Super Bowl that was held in New Orleans, just like today's game:@)

Cheer on your team and Have a Happy Day!

Sweet Thai Chili Sauce Cream Cheese Dip

You may have heard me say this before folks... Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ideas. I saw this Sweet Thai Chili Sauce Cream Cheese Dip on the Kraft site and since I had the two ingredients on-hand... Gave it a try:@) This is very tasty for such a simple idea. It's intended to be served with crackers, but I also think it would work with anything from potato chips, tortilla chips, bagel chips, pita chips, to celery and pepper sticks. And part of the beauty is, you can set out as much, or as little, as you'd like. I might even try using a whipped cream cheese next time for extra easy schmearing.

Sweet Thai Chili Sauce Cream Cheese Dip

8 oz cream cheese, softened well

1 C Sweet Thai Chili Sauce

~Place cream cheese in serving dish (one shaped kind of like a bowl would be best) and top with Chili Sauce. Serve with crackers and dippers at room temperature.

Eat Well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Savory Pumpkin Cream Cheese Chip Dip

This Savory Pumpkin Cream Cheese Chip Dip was different and a good way to use up some leftover canned pumpkin. It seems that unless we are making a pie, recipes don't use a whole can of pumpkin puree. While this calls for storing the dip in the refrigerator until serving time, I do recommend bringing it out a little early to allow the cream cheese to soften a bit for dipping potato chips. And we do want hearty chips with ridges:@) Recipe is easily cut in half.

Leftovers? 

Great schmeared on a bagel:@)

Savory Pumpkin Cream Cheese Chip Dip-from here

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 C shredded cheddar

1/2 C pumpkin puree

1/4 C pecans, toasted and chopped

4-6 strips of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

3 green onions, thinly sliced

1/2 tsp seasoned salt

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1. Mix everything together, can use electric beater or spoon.
2. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
3. Serve with chips.

Let's use up all that extra pumpkin, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Heinz 57 Kielbasa Appetizer -Oven, Grill, or Microwave

These Heinz 57 Kielbasa Appetizers are a nice two ingredient munchie that can be made in the oven, quickly heated in the microwave, or tossed into a disposable pan on the grill for tailgating and summer bar-b-ques:@) You can probably make it in a slow cooker too, but I haven't tried that (yet). I love kielbasa and smoked sausage as an appy, it's something not everyone thinks of serving and I always have some in the freezer. The sauce is pungent and perky, and a nice change from BBQ sauce. Simply slice up the sausage, generously smother in Heinz 57, heat and eat-good stuff folks!

I bought a new Heinz 57 at Dollar Tree:

If you like a little heat, you'll like this:@)

Use the flavor you have on-hand,

the pics are with traditional.

Super easy and perfect for game day:@)

Heinz 57 Kielbasa Appetizers

Kielbasa or smoked sausage, cut into bite size pieces

Heinz 57

1. Add meat to baking dish or disposable pan.
2. Smother in sauce, bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or until meat is heated through. Or microwave at 20 second intervals until heated through. Or grill over medium until meat is heated through, stirring occasionally.
3. Serve with food picks.

Enjoy a munchie and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Pepperoni and Cheese Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers

While my plant didn't get very tall, it is loaded with peppers and they are coloring up nicely. Most of them stayed pretty small, only about an inch and a half long. But they are a pretty red and I wanted to enjoy them. So we had Pepperoni and Cheese Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers with Sunday dinner, and I thought they were a little different and tasty:@) This would be a great snack for parties, game day, or just about any day... I'm guessing it's keto friendly too.

I served mine cold, might try melting the cheese in the oven the next time. A minute or two under the broiler would brown up the tops nicely too:@)

The plant I bought:

Gorgeous!

Pepperoni and Cheese Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers

1. Mix softened cream cheese and shredded mozzarella. About two times as much mozzarella, but doesn't have to be exact.
2. Stir in a few shakes of garlic and onion powder.
3. Stir in small diced pepperoni, as much as you'd like.
4. Stuff into cleaned pepper halves.
5. Top with a shake of oregano.
6. Store covered in refrigerator until time to serve.
7. *Alternately: Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until cheese has melted. Brown tops under broiler.

Eat Well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Jalapeno Ranch Dip -Two Ingredients

This Jalapeno Ranch Dip is another super simple way to add some zing and spice up game day wings, your chip platter, or your next charcuterie board. Or how about serving it with bite size kielbasa as an appy. Start with your favorite ranch dressing, and finely dice some fresh jalapeno. How much? Well, you know your crowd:@) I did clean my 'penos well, but again, that's up to you. Sometimes the easiest ideas are just enough to create a special dish. Don't hesitate to try this folks, it might just become your signature dip for parties!

Jalapeno Ranch Dip

Your favorite ranch dressing

Fresh jalapeno(s), finely diced

1. Simply mix the dressing and jalapenos to your desired taste and heat level.
2. Chill and serve with wings, meats, vegetables, potato chips, tortilla chips, etc.

Snack well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Spiced Olives in Tomato Juice -Appetizer or Charcuterie Board

I've made a few different marinated olive recipes on the blog, but I have to say this is the most robustly flavored one to date... These Spiced Olives in Tomato Juice pack a big garlic punch and the crushed pepper flakes help back that up:@) The olives will drink up the flavors more as the days go by, and some comments really say to give it the full 10 days. I've even seen this recipe referred to as The Christmas Olives. So if it's holiday fare, you know it will be great as we're entertaining and throwing a couple steaks on the grill this summer. I'm even thinking about using it to top some pasta with chicken... My only suggestion, give it a good 30 minutes at room temperature before serving so the olive oil has a chance to loosen back up. Don't hesitate to give this a try folks, if you love garlic, you'll like these olives!

Perfect for charcuterie boards, cocktail parties, and along side a hearty sandwich on game day. My best suggestion: I would eat these within the 10 days, I wouldn't store them longer. And with the Christmas reference above... This will ~loosely~ be my Christmas in July post for this year. But don't wait until the holidays to make them:@)

And a tip: If you don't have tomato juice on-hand, substitute half tomato sauce, half water.

Other olive recipes: Pepperoni, Cheese & Olives in Italian Dressing - Lemon & Herb Marinated Olives - Marinated Almond Stuffed Olives - Garden Tomato & Green Olive Salsa - Marinated Mozzarella Cheese & Olives - Citrus Marinated Olives - Bloody Mary Tomato & Olive Salad

Spiced Olives in Tomato Juice-from Taste of Home

7 oz jar green olives with pimento

1/2 C tomato juice

1 Tblsp olive oil

1/2 - 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1. Drain olives, discarding liquid.
2. Mix everything else in small bowl, pour into jar of olives.
3. Cover and refrigerate 3-10 days, turning jar daily.
4. Drain before serving.

🌴🦩🎅Happy Christmas in July,

Eat well and Have a Happy Day:@)

S'Mores Popcorn

I had some leftover graham crackers and ~always~ seem to have a sweet tooth, so I whipped up some S'Mores Popcorn. Good stuff folks:@) You can make this any way you'd like, what more chocolate? Add it. Love marshmallows? Load them up! Is it a holiday, birthday, or sports event? Toss in some color coordinated sprinkles. The key to this idea is working quickly so everything has a chance to stick to the melted chocolate. Then just let the chocolate firm back up and dry, and store in an air tight container. 

Tips for S'Mores Popcorn: 

1. Melt chocolate in a disposable icing bag in the microwave.
2. Add wax paper or parchment paper to the bottom of a cookie sheet for easy clean-up.
3. Use either air popped corn, microwave popcorn, or a store bought bag of already popped.
4. Make this in layers, add some popcorn to cookie sheet, (sprinkle with salt if using air popped corn).
5. Drizzle with melted chocolate, immediately sprinkle on broken bite size graham crackers and mini marshmallows.
6. Add another layer of popcorn and repeat.
7. Let chocolate set-up and store in airtight container.

Enjoy a Snack and Have a Happy Day:@)

Melon, Meat, and Cheese Kabobs -a.k.a. Appetizer Kabobs

These Melon, Meat, and Cheese Kabobs are a fun way to serve a light summer meal, or an appetizer for any occasion, any time of year. There is a ton of wiggle room here too, this is cantaloupe, use any melon you have, or mix a few types. Pick your favorite type of cheese, I used Pepper Jack, you know your crowd:@) Meat can be anything from pepperoni to ham cubes, to whatever you like, I had some summer sausage. Don't forget the pickles and/or olives, they'd be great too... Have a bottle of good balsamic vinegar? Yep, please go ahead and add a drizzle. What makes these a little special is using 4" toothpicks instead of long kabob skewers, I found these at Dollar Tree. 

Itty cucumbers are from the garden, and both the yellow cherry and red grape tomatoes are ripening like crazy right now. Seriously, it's 99 degrees outside, a cold drink and I'd call this dinner... Oh, and you know I have to say it, ⚾🏈great for tailgating or football parties too:@)

Eat Well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Easy Perky Party Meatballs -A1 Sauce, Slow Cooker

I saved this recipe for Easy Perky Party Meatballs for a couple reasons... I happened to have some A1 Sauce in the fridge, and I'm always looking for new game day munchies:@) I also liked that it called for a slow cooker, I scaled it down and used my Little Dipper Crock Pot. These meatballs are surprisingly tasty! The sauce is tangy and thick (I added the 'Perky' to the title), and as long as you have some A1, it comes together quickly with pantry ingredients. Don't hesitate to give them a try folks, I think you'll be pleased. Heck, it's hot outside, I called this lunch the day I made them...

Easy Perky Party Meatballs-from here

32 oz frozen pre-cooked meatballs

14 oz bottle ketchup

1/4 C A1 Sauce

1 Tblsp minced garlic

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1. Add meatballs to vessel of  3 quart slow cooker.
2. Mix everything else for sauce, pour over meatballs.
3. Place paper towel under lid and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until meatballs are hot. I cooked mine for 2 1/2 hours in the Little Dipper.
4. Serve with fun food picks.

⚾🏈Eat Well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Temp-Tations Football Theme'd Serving Items

I didn't know that Temp-Tations had a football pattern, did you? I happened to see it on QVC yesterday and thought I'd share... It's never too early to start planning for gifts, parties, and tailgating:@) 

16" serving platter and oven gloves:

Cute candy dishes:

(These were on the Temp-Tations site.)

Two ramekins with spreaders:

Mug/dish set and one gallon drink dispenser:

And finally,

Complete melamine serving/dining set:

(Very dark pic, but it's green.)

So there you have a few ideas to help us start looking forward to football season:@) If they had a baseball pattern I would have added it too... Hummmm.... Maybe something for them to think about???

🏈Have a Happy Day:@)

Piggy Poppers, Garden Trellis Cushion, & Barbie Hair Saver

Back when I was a kid... We would slice a hotdog in half long ways, butterfly it open, and top it with cheese. It would then go into the oven until the cheese melted. Good stuff folks:@) I thought I'd try that concept with these Piggy Poppers. It's another version of my Stuffed Jalapenos, and a tasty alternative if you're trying to save a few calories on the bun. 

Aldi has the regular size hotdogs and the 8 pack bigger size, I used the bigger ones and cut the dog in half, then into quarters. Just make them fit into your jalapenos...

I mentioned the idea of using a pool noodle at the top of a trellis to help the plant gently bend over the top instead of the vine possibly bending/kinking here. Someone tossed a green one out on trash day... Yep, I like the way green looks in the garden:@)

And finally, if there's a Barbie in your life you know the hair can quickly become a hot mess unruly... I love the idea of recycling garlic bags as hair savers, it works especially well with straight hair dolls and is really great at keeping bangs in place! This is a simple no-sew project that only requires a pair of scissors. It works well with either long or short hair, just cut the mesh to the length you need and slip it over the doll's head.

This is the type of garlic bag I use:

Piggy Poppers

Jalapenos, cut in half and cleaned of seeds and membrane

Large hotdogs, cut in half and quartered

Cheese of choice, slices to cover hotdog

1. Place hotdog slice in each jalapeno.
2. Bake at 357 degrees for about 12 minutes.
3. Remove from oven, carefully add cheese to jalapeno and cover hotdog with cheese.
4. Return to oven for about a minute or until cheese has melted.
5. Serve with mustard, ketchup, BBQ sauce, etc, if desired.

Have a Happy Day:@)

Mini Corn Dog Bites -Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix

Absolutely nothing new here folks, just a reminder that these Retro Corn Dog Bites are extra fun in the summer and every time I see them I think... If we're calling them Corn Dogs, shouldn't they have a stick? So I added a colorful food pick, but the picks are pretty much just for looks. One bite and the cornbread kinda fell off. This is super easy if we use a Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, and I love using a mini muffin pan, it gives a nice size hot dog bite. Simply set out some dipping sauce, add some sliced watermelon, eat outside in the sunshine, and lunch is served... Then just hose the kids down, and it will be a fun summer afternoon:@) 

Thoughts: What's the best dipping sauce for this? Honey Mustard (3 ingredient recipe here). Making these for adults, or to watch a game? Maybe add a little cheese and dice up some jalapeno, just sayin'... Color coordinating the sticks for team colors (got my Phillies and Eagles here:@), the holidays, or any occasion, is always fun too. Short on time? Jiffy Mix, hot dogs and food picks can all be found at most Dollar Tree stores, run in and out-done.

I'm guessing one Jiffy Mix would make -at least- 36 bites, and probably more. It depends upon the size of your pan.

Corn Dog Bites

Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, plus called for items on box

Hot dogs, cut into 6 pieces

Food picks

Ketchup, mustard, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, etc, for dipping

1. Make corn muffin mix per box instructions.
2. Spray mini muffin pan well. Spoon mix half way up muffins cups.
3. Add hot dog piece to center of each one, push down into mix.
4. Bake at 400 degrees 10-12 minutes, or until muffins are set.
5. Remove from oven, pop corn dogs out, add stick if desired, and serve.

Have a Happy Day:@)

Pierogi Quesadillas

These Pierogi Quesadillas are great for everything from breakfast to dinner, to a fun game day snack:@) It's also a good way to use up some leftover ham and mashed potatoes. I found the recipe on Taste of Home, but honestly, just wing it and simply layer what you have on-hand. To make it extra special, add sour cream, applesauce or sauerkraut on the side. Best tip: Heat mashed potatoes in microwave to be able to easily spread on tortillas. Or whip up some instant potatoes, anything goes... Super easy and very filling, don't hesitate to give it a try folks.

Good stuff:@)

Other flavor combos: Buffalo Chicken and Cheddar & Pumpkin and Cheddar

Pierogi Quesadillas

Can be made with all leftovers:

Tortillas

Mashed potatoes

Ham, diced

Cheddar cheese, shredded

Butter

Sour cream, applesauce, sauerkraut, etc, for serving

1. Place pat of butter in pan, use low heat to melt and spread around.
2. Place tortilla in pan and top with mashed potatoes, ham and cheese.
3. Place second tortilla on top. Press down as cheese melts.
4. Carefully flip quesadilla to lightly brown and crisp the other side.
5. Remove to board or platter, cut into serving size with a pizza cutter or knife.
6. Serve with dippers or sides as desired.

Eat well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Lock-N-Lock Appetizer & Dessert Trays

Popping in quickly to share this Set of Two Appetizer and Dessert Tray Sets from QVC.  This is a great idea for folks that love to tailgate or bring appys or anything that is fun to assemble to parties. Tacos, ice cream bar, chip and dip, veggies and dip, etc. What makes this different than it's bigger sister here, the compartments are removable, maybe only fill one with hot salsa, one with mild, then the rest with chips. You get the idea. Love this! $23 as of this post. 

Ok... We don't have kelly green today, but Eagles fans do have steel gray and clear. How about red or blue for the Phillies, summer, and/or Christmas... There are 12 colors to choose from. I think fans of any team, season, or holiday will be able to find a color to love:@)

Grab it when you see it, 

and Have a Happy Day:@)

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! Football Tiered Tray

I added a few items to my Tiered Tray Centerpiece for the game and took a couple quick pics... If the sun comes out I'll try to get better ones, but wanted to pop in to wish everyone a great day! 

I picked up a football field runner💕

Luminara candle for light and safety:@)

Have a Super Sunday:@)