Monday, January 31, 2011

Game Day Is Coming...

Now let me start off by saying, this is not going to be a post about the big game!!  I am by no means qualified to discuss that but I do know many folks who are and they'll be watching the Super Bowl this Sunday!  I am by no means a die hard football fan but some of my family members and friends are!!  So to help them out, I decided to share some simple recipes for "game day" munching!  Regardless of the outcome of the game....you'll at least have a little "comfort food" to enjoy. :)

Bon Appétit!!



Hot Spinach Dip

This rich, creamy dip can be assembled through step 2 up to three days ahead, then covered and refrigerated; it can also be served as a side dish. Two 10-ounce packages of frozen spinach can be substituted for the fresh. Thaw according to box instructions, drain well, and chop.

 Ingredients:
  • 2 teaspoon(s) olive oil, plus more for baking dish                                           
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 clove(s) garlic , minced
  • 2 pound(s) spinach, cleaned, trimmed, and coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup(s) milk
  • 6 ounce(s) reduced-fat bar cream cheese
  • 3 dash(es) Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 dash(es) hot sauce, such as Tabasco
  • 3/4 cup(s) shredded mozzarella
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • Baguette slices, breadsticks, or crackers, for serving
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a Dutch oven or large pot, heat oil over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook until lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes.
  2. Add spinach in two additions, letting the first batch wilt before adding the next; cook until completely wilted, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a colander; drain, pressing to release all excess liquid.
  3. In the same pot, warm milk over high heat. Whisk in cream cheese until melted, about 3 minutes. Add spinach, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and 1/4 cup mozzarella; stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into a lightly oiled 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella.
  4. Bake until bubbly and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot with accompaniments, as desired.

Hot Crab Dip
Ingredients:
  • 1 package(s) (8-ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 8 ounce(s) fresh crabmeat, picked over                                                     
  • 1/3 cup(s) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoon(s) finely chopped onion                                          
  • 1 tablespoon(s) whole milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon(s) garlic salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) prepared white horseradish, optional
  • Crudités, for serving (such as baby carrots, cucumber spears, cherry tomatoes, blanched asparagus, broccoli florets, and/or radishes)
Directions:
  1. Place oven rack 6 inches from broiler heat source. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  2. In large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, crabmeat, mayonnaise, onion, milk, garlic salt, and horseradish, if using, until well blended. Transfer to shallow 2 1/2- to 3-cup ceramic baking dish and spread evenly.
  3. Bake 25 minutes or until browned around edges. Reset oven control to broil and broil 1 to 2 minutes or until top is golden. Serve with crudités.

Mini Tacos

Ingredients:
  • 24 wonton wrappers
  • 1 pound(s) lean ground beef
  • 1 package(s) (1.25 ounces) taco seasoning mix                               
  • 2 tablespoon(s) Pace® Picante Sauce                                    
  • 1/2 cup(s) Pace® Chunky Salsa                                                              
  • 4 ounce(s) shredded Mexican cheese blend                                              
  • Sour cream (optional)
  • Pitted ripe olives (optional)
Directions:
  1. Heat the oven to 425 degrees F.  Press the wonton wrappers into 24 (1 1/2-inch) mini muffin-pan cups.
  2. Cook the beef in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until it's well browned, stirring often to break up the meat. Pour off any fat. Stir in the taco seasoning mix and picante sauce.
  3. Spoon the beef mixture into the wonton cups. Top with the salsa and cheese.
  4. Bake for 5 minutes or until the wontons are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
  5. Garnish with sour cream and olives, if desired. Serve immediately with additional salsa

No comments: