Mini Loaded Tater Tots

Welcome to my new and improved blog.  Let's start the party with a tasty tater tot recipe.  As always Kraft recipe so Kraft ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 48 (1/2 of a 32 oz. Package) Ore-Ida Tater Tots
• 3/4 cup Kraft shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour creme
• 4 slices Oscar Meyer bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 450F
• Place 2 tater tots each in a 24 mini-muffin pan.
• Place on bottom rack and bake for 10 minutes.
• Spray bottom of shot glass with cooking spray.
• Use (in twisting motion) to press tater tots into each muffin cup to make a potato cup.
• Return to oven; bake for an additional 15 minutes.
• Add cheese to potato cups; bake additional minute.
• Transfer to platter fill with remaining ingredients.
  
  

Air Fryer Steak Bites With Garlic Butter

This looks like an excellent winter meal.  I can see serving it over mashed potatoes.  I found it on Facebook where it was originally posted by Air Fryer Recipes.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 ½ lbs. sirloin steak cut into bite size pieces (or strip loin, tenderloin, strip steak or rib eye)

¼ tsp. salt or to taste

¼ tsp. pepper or to taste

2 tbsp. salted butter

4 cloves garlic minced

1 tbsp. parsley fresh chopped

Directions:

• In a medium sized bowl add the olive oil, steak, salt, and pepper. 
• Toss to combine.
• Preheat the Air Fryer to 400 degrees F (if your Air Fryer doesn’t have a preheat function, set it to 400 degrees F and set the timer to 4 minutes. 
• Check doneness after 4 minutes (if not done, cook in one minute intervals).
• While the steak is cooking, place the skillet on the stovetop.
• Melt butter in a skillet. 
• When butter is melted, add garlic to the skillet, cook for about 30 seconds while stirring, just until the garlic becomes aromatic and starts to brown. 
• Remove from heat.
• When steak is done add to garlic butter, toss to coat. 
• Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Enchilada Meatballs

Enchilada meatballs is a quick and healthy dish.  It is easy to make and loaded with flavors.  I found it posted on Facebook but it comes from Life with Susan originally.

Ingredients:

Meatballs

• 3/4 lbs. ground beef, lean
• 1/4 lbs. ground pork
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 3 tsp enchilada sauce
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 tsp jalapeno, chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Salt, to taste

Casserole

• 3/4 cup enchilada sauce
• 1 cup Mexican cheese, shredded
• 3 tbsp Mexican crema.
• 2 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped

Directions:

• In a large bowl, add ground beef, ground pork, egg, cheddar cheese, enchilada sauce, jalapeno, onion powder, minced garlic, cilantro, black pepper, and salt.
• Mix well so that everything is well incorporated.
• Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to scoop a portion of this mixture (or use your hands to shape the mixture into small equal sized balls).
• Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking tray (make sure to leave space between them).
• Place the tray in a pre-heated oven (400 F) for fifteen minutes, flipping the meatballs halfway for even cooking.
• Once done, take them out of the oven and set aside.
• Meanwhile, prepare a baking dish by spreading enchilada sauce on the bottom.
• Carefully arrange the meatballs over the sauce.
• Place Mexican cheese on top and place the dish in the oven for 15 more minutes.
• Once done, drizzle Mexican crema on top and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.

Shepards's Pie Potato Skins

Another recipe that was posted by a friend on Facebook, but I think it is originally posted by tiphero. However, I think that I may have to stop sharing these recipes from Facebook, every time I share one, my wife replies with oh, make that for supper tonight.  And while I am making this recipe for supper tonight, I think it would also be perfect for potlucks.

Ingredients:
-Baked Potato Mash-

• 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup of whole milk
• 2 1/2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 tsp salt

-Filling-

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 medium onion, diced
• 8 oz ground beef
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups frozen vegetables

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Prick the potatoes with a fork ad microwave on high for 5 minutes.
• Rotate and cook another 5 minutes.
• Test with a knife to make sure they are done.
• Cut the tops off the potatoes and scoop the insides into a bowl, leaving a 1/4 inch wall around the skin.
• Add the milk, butter, and salt to the bowl and mash until smooth.
• In a saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the onion and saute until translucent.
• Add the ground beef and cook, breaking into smaller pieces, until browned and cooked through.
• Sprinkle the flour over the meat and stir to combine.
• Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and frozen veggies.
• Bring to a simmer and cook until sauce has thickened and become glossy.
• Remove from heat.
• Fill each potato evenly with beef mixture.
• Spoon mashed potatoes over the filling, covering the meat mixture completely.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the tops of the potatoes start to brown.

Note:
In step 2, you can bake, instead of microwave the potatoes if you prefer:

• rub cleaned potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and back at 425 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes.

Crock Pot Glazed Kielbasa Bites

Tonight as part of our New Year's Eve tradition instead of dinner we will nibble throughout the evening on snacks and appetizers.  So as a New Year's bonus I am posting two of the appetizer recipes, I plan to make tonight, that were originally posted on Facebook.  Once again, I am not sure from whom I got the recipes, but I give credit where credit is due.

-Crock Pot Glazed Kielbasa Bites-
Originally posted by Julie's Eats & Treats

Ingredients:

• 3 13 oz. packages fully cooked kielbasa
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup ginger ale

Directions:

• Cut kielbasa into 1 inch pieces and place in the crock pot.
• Sprinkle brown sugar over the top of kielbasa.
• Pour ginger ale over top.
• Cook on low for 4 - 5 hours (or on high for 2 hours).

-Maple Bacon Wings-

Originally posted by Delish

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken wings
• 15 slices of bacon, halved
• 1/4 cup barbeque sauce
• 2 tbsp. maple syrup
• 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425 F and line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Wrap wings with a half slice of bacon each and place on prepared baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, combine barbeque sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes.
• Whisk to combine
• Brush wings all over with sauce and bake for 45 minutes until wings and bacon are crisp and golden.
• Serve

Smoky Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs have always been a special party treat to me.  That is why I have as many versions of them in my recipes section as I do.  This recipe came from April 11 in my recipe-a-day calendar.

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 1 shallot
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 Tbsp. sundried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
• Kosher salt

Directions:

• Hard boil eggs.
• While eggs are cooking, thinly slice shallot into small rings.
• In a small pan heat vegetable oil and cook shallots until golden brown, about 4 minutes.
• Remove from the pan and place on paper towel  to cool.
• Sprinkle with a bit of kosher salt.
• When eggs are cooked, cooled, and peeled, slice them in half and scoop out the yolks.
• Smash yolks with a fork.
• Mix the tomatoes with the egg yolks, mayonnaise, paprika, and about 1/8 tsp. kosher salt (or to taste).
• Spoon the mixture into the egg white halves.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Directly before serving, top each egg with a crispy shallot to garnish.

Saucy Meatball Marinara Sauce

Saucy Meatball Marinara Sauce is sure to be a hit with carnivores of all ages!  This easy-to-make recipe takes the favourite meatball to the next level.  As always...Kraft recipe, Kraft ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 lb. lean ground pork
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup dry Italian-style bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup Kraft 100% Parmesan Aged Grated Cheese
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 jar Classico Riserva Marinara Pasta Sauce
• 1/3 cup water

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Mix all ingredients except pasta sauce and water just until blended; shape into 24 (2-inch) meatballs.
• Place on rimmed baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 15 to 17 min. or until done (160°F).
• Transfer meatballs to Dutch oven or large deep skillet sprayed with cooking spray. 
• Add pasta sauce; stir to evenly coat meatballs.
• Pour water into empty pasta sauce jar; cover and shake well. 
• Add to meatballs; stir. 
• Simmer 10 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Cherry Goat Cheese Bites

I grew up in a "meat and potatoes" kind of house.  When it comes to food, I would not say I have adventurous tastes.  However, there are a number of recipes in the calendar that my wife got me for Christmas that seem to catch my eye, like this one.

Ingredients:

• 1 small baguette
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbl balsamic vineger
• 4 oz goat cheese
• 6 fresh sage leaves

Directions:

•  Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Slice the baguette, and place the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Toast 15 minutes unlit slightly browned and crisp.
• In a small sauce pan, place dried cherries, water, and balsamic vinegar.
• Bring to a strong simmer and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, about 7 minutes.
• Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
• Thinly slice the sage leaves.
• To serve spread goat cheese on top of the crostini; top with cherries and a bit of sage.

Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

Today's recipe comes from Pinterest, and once again is a find of my wife's.  This is one of the recipes that I referred to, the other day, in my post Recipes.  I think it may well be our Christmas Eve/Anniversary dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb baby dutch yellow potato
• 3 ears corn, husked and cut crosswise into 6 pieces
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon old bay seasoning
• 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 12.8 oz smoked andouille sausage, 1 package, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400˚F (200˚C).
• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook potatoes until just tender and parboiled, about 10-13 minutes. 
• Stir in corn during the last 5 minutes of cooking time and drain well.
• In a small bowl, combine butter, garlic, and Old Bay Seasoning.
• Place potatoes, corn, shrimp and sausage in a single layer onto a greased baking sheet. 
• Gently toss with the butter mixture.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque and corn is tender.
• Serve immediately with lemon wedges, and sprinkle with parsley.

Cream Cheese 'N Herb Cucumber Bites

They look app-solutely divine on the appetizer table, but these creamy and crunchy cucumber bites are a breeze to put together. With only 3 ingredients, these fresh appetizers are simply delicious!  As always...Kraft recipe, Kraft ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup shredded carrots, divided
• 1/2 cup Philadelphia Herb & Garlic Light Cream Cheese Product
• 2 cucumbers, cut lengthwise in half

Directions:

• Reserve 2 Tbsp. carrots. 
• Mix remaining carrots with cream cheese product until blended.  
• Use spoon to scoop out centers from cucumber halves; fill with cream cheese mixture.  
• Sprinkle with reserved carrots. 
• Cut each crosswise into 5 pieces to serve.

BBQ-Style Meatloaf Minis

I selected this recipe because my wife happens to love Cheez Whiz.  What's marvelous about these mini loaves is that using a muffin pan cuts the baking time in half.  As Always...Kraft recipe, Kraft Ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. extra-lean ground beef
• 1 pkg. Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 cup Kraft Original BBQ Sauce
• 1/4 cup Cheez Whiz Cheese Spread

Directions:

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Mix meat, stuffing mix, water and garlic powder until blended. 
• Press into 8 muffin cups sprayed with cooking spray.
• Make indentation in center of each with back of spoon; fill with sauce.
• Bake 30 min. or until done. 
• Top with Cheez Whiz; bake 5 min. or until melted.

Substitutions:

Italian-Style Meatloaf Minis: Prepare as directed, substituting Italian seasoning for the garlic powder and pasta sauce for the barbecue sauce.

Mexican-Style Meatloaf Minis: Prepare as directed, substituting 2 tsp. chili powder for the garlic powder and salsa for the barbecue sauce.

Creamy Stuffed New Potatoes

These 3-ingredient appetizers are easy and delicious. Just top bite-size new potatoes with our savoury cream cheese spread and roasted red peppers and you've got a platter of appetizers you can be proud of!  As always...Kraft recipe, Kraft ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 16 small new potatoes
• 2/3 cup Philadelphia Garden Vegetable Light Cream Cheese Product
• 1/4 cup roasted red pepper strips

Directions:

• Cook potatoes in boiling water in saucepan 15 to 20 min. or until tender; drain. 
• Cool.  
• Cut potatoes in half. 
• Scoop out centres, leaving 1/8-inch-thick shells.
• Place potato pulp in small bowl; mash until smooth. 
• Add cream cheese product; mix well. 
• Spoon into potato shells.
• Top with peppers.

Veggie Pizza Appetizer

This colourful appetizer is full of crunchy fresh vegetables.  Perfect for brightening up a winter's evening.  As always... Kraft recipe, Kraft ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 pkg. (235 g each) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 1 cup Philadelphia cream cheese product
• 1/2 cup Miracle Whip original spread
• 1 tsp. dill weed
• 1/2 tsp. onion salt
• 1 cup each chopped sugar snap peas and quartered cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup each sliced radishes, chopped yellow peppers and shredded carrots
• 3 green onions, chopped

Directions:

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Unroll dough; separate into 4 rectangles. Press onto bottom and up sides of 15x10x1-inch pan to form crust, firmly pressing seams and perforations together to seal.
• Bake 11 to 13 min. or until golden brown; cool.
• Mix cream cheese product, Miracle Whip, dill weed and onion salt until well blended. 
• Spread onto crust; top with remaining ingredients. 
• Refrigerate 2 hours.

Coca-Cola Meatballs

If Coca-Cola Roast Beef is for Sunday dinner, than this recipe will be a mid-week favourite or perhaps something to serve up during the game.  These meatballs can be made in golf ball sizes and served over pasta with the sauce for a delicious dinner, or make them a little smaller, insert a toothpick after baking and serve with the sauce as a dip.  I found this recipe posted on Pinterest.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
• 1/2 cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs
• 1 Egg
• 1 TB Water
• 1 Onion, chopped finely, divided
• 1/2 t Salt, divided
• 1/2 t Freshly Ground Black Pepper, divided
• 2 t Garlic, crushed
• 1 cup Tomato Sauce
• 1 cup Coca-Cola
• 2 TB Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped finely

Directions:

• Pre-heat the oven to 350F.
• Spray a 11 x 7 oven dish with cooking spray.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the Beef, Bread Crumbs, Egg, Water, half of the chopped Onion, half of the Green Bell Pepper, half the Salt and half the Black Pepper.
• Mix well and form into balls - place in a single layer on the prepared oven dish.
• In a small bowl, mix together the remaining Onion, Salt, and Pepper, add the Garlic, Tomato Sauce, Coca-Cola, Worcestershire Sauce and the Green Bell Pepper - pour over the meatballs.
• Bake 50 - 60 minutes {turning twice} until sauce is bubbly and the meatballs are fully cooked.

Hot Garlic Cheese Bread

Make this gloriously crusty Hot Garlic Cheese Bread just once, and you'll never buy the grocery store brand again!  As always... Kraft recipe, Kraft ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Touch of Philadelphia Shredded Creamy Mozza Cheese
• 1/2 cup non-hydrogenated margarine, softened
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1 loaf Italian bread

Directions:

• Heat oven to 425°F.
• Mix all ingredients except bread.
• Slice bread at 3/4-inch intervals almost to bottom of loaf, being careful to not cut all the way through loaf. 
• Spread 1 side of each bread slice with cheese mixture. 
• Wrap in foil.
• Bake 25 min. Serve warm.

BBQ Chicken Pizza Roll

"Unofficial" Month of Recipes - Day 7

Put a twist on pizza with this BBQ Chicken Pizza Roll.  Stuffed with shredded chicken, barbecue sauce and cheese these pizza slices are sure to please.  As always... Kraft recipe, Kraft ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 can refrigerated pizza crust
• 1/2 cup Bull's-Eye Bold Original Barbecue Sauce, divided
• 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 1 cup Cracker Barrel Shredded 3 Cheese Pizza Cheese

Directions:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Unroll pizza dough onto lightly floured surface; press to form 12x8-inch rectangle.
• Brush 1/4 cup barbecue sauce onto crust to within 1 inch of edges; top with chicken, onions and cheese. 
• Starting at one long side, roll up to form log; pinch edges together to seal. 
• Place, seam side down, on baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 20 to 25 min. or until golden brown. 
• Let stand 10 min. before slicing. 
• Serve with remaining barbecue sauce.

Bell Pepper Nacho Boats

I found this cool recipe on Pinterest.  This light dish makes a perfect appetizer at parties or game night.  For a super vibrant and eye-catching presentation, use a mix of different colored bell peppers!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup salsa
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 3 bell peppers

Directions:

• Remove seeds, core, and membrane from bell peppers then slice each one into 6 vertical pieces where they dip down. 
• Set sliced bell peppers aside.
• Cook ground turkey over medium-high heat, breaking up as it cooks. 
• Cook until the turkey loses it's pink color and is cooked through. 
• Drain off any fat.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Combine cooked turkey with spices and salsa. 
• Evenly distribute mixture into the bell pepper boats, top with cheese. 
• Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and peppers are hot.

Loaded Sweet Potato Skins

A twist on the popular, traditional bar food.  Enjoy a big plate of extra crispy, extra loaded sweet potato skins in no time!  This game-time favorite is hard to resist.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium sweet potatoes
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• ground pepper, to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 4 strips bacon, cooked until crispy, and crumbled
• sour cream and chopped chives for serving

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400F degrees. 
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. 
• Pierce each sweet potato a few times and bake for 40-50 minutes or until soft. 
• Allow the potatoes to cool slightly. 
• Slice potatoes in half lengthwise.
• Reduce oven temperature to 375F degrees. 
• Scoop out sweet potato flesh, leaving a thin layer of sweet potato inside, and add flesh to a medium bowl. 
• Place skins back on the baking sheet face up, drizzle with olive oil and bake for 10 minutes.
• Mash the sweet potato flesh with milk, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. 
• After 10 minutes, remove the skins from the oven. 
• Fill each with an equal amount of mashed sweet potato and top each with cheese. 
• Bake for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted. 
• Remove from the oven and top with bacon. 
• Serve with sour cream and chopped chives, if desired.

Cream Cheese And Bacon Chicken Rolls

I found this recipe on Pinterest.  I thought it would be a great twist on a traditional chicken dinner, served with stuffing and mashed potatoes.  Perfect for a sunday supper or to serve guests at a dinner party.

Ingredients:

• 4-6 thin boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Stuffing:

• 6-8 ounces softened cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon of minced onion
• 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
• 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of pepper
• 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
• 4 Pieces of cooked and chopped Bacon

Coating:

• ¼ cup flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• ½ cup corn flake crumbs

Directions:

• Pre-heat oven to 350.
• Coat rolls with flour, then lightly dip in egg mixture, followed me rolling them in corn flake crumbs.
• In a bowl, beat cream cheese, onion, italian seasoning, garlic powder, pepper and lemon juice until blended. 
• Stir in cooked and chopped bacon.
• Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture on each piece of chicken and spread it out into a thin layer.
• Roll chicken.
• Drizzle some olive oil in a large skillet and heat.
• Briefly cook rolls over high heat, browning all sides.
• Place chicken rolls in a baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes or until chicken is fork tender.

Notes

You don’t want to soak the roll in the egg, but you need it coated enough to hold the corn flakes.

Make sure to really crush the corn flakes. It is more likely for smaller pieces to stick to the roll better.

Cheesy Beef Nachos

I am sure this was in my inbox because it is Super Bowl week.  The perfect game-day appetizer. As always... Kraft recipe, Kraft ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. (225 g) lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 4 cups tortilla chips
• 1 cup Cracker Barrel Shredded Tex Mex Cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped onions 
• 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes 
• 1/4 cup sliced jalapeño peppers
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives
• 1/4 cup guacamole

Directions:

• Brown meat in large skillet; drain. 
• Stir in salsa; simmer 2 min.
• Arrange chips on large microwaveable plate. 
• Top with meat mixture; sprinkle with cheese.
• Microwave on HIGH 2 to 3 min. or until cheese is melted, rotating plate every minute. 
• Top with remaining ingredients.

Notes:

• We tend to bake our chips and cheese, it does not take much longer than the microwave.
• Neither my wife nor I like guacamole, so I would replace it with sour cream.