Easy cheeseball

We hosted Christmas lunch at our house this year, and I tried a lot of new recipes out. This was one of our appetizers and was well received. It is easy to make and makes a large cheese ball. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 bricks of cream cheese, softened
1 package ranch dip mix
2 cups cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (I used what I had leftover from a pecan pie)

Directions:

1. Mix the ranch packet with the cream cheese until they are well incorporated.
2. Add the cheese and mix well.
3. Form the mixture into a ball with your hands.
4. Roll in chopped pecans to coat the outside.
5. Wrap in plastic and store in you fridge until ready to serve.

Serve with crackers or crusty bread.

We made this the day before and it was great the next day and has done well in a plastic container since.

Bun in the Oven Part 2

We announced on Christmas to our families, but we will be welcoming Andrew to the family in late April/early May. My due date is still cinch de mayo, but I think he will be early!

We did some cooking over the holiday season and will be adding more recipes in the new year. Look for baby food recipes at the end of next year.

We are thrilled for our new addition and the changes it will mean in our lives!

Taco Bites

A little less cooking lately, but that is due to super busy lives and less about the Baby!  This is a great appetizer or can be used as a fun twist on traditional tacos.  These are perfect for a party as well!

Ingredients:
Wonton wrappers
Taco Meat (cooked)
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Olives
Cheese
Sour Cream
**Add any additional toppings you normally use for Tacos!

Directions:

In a 425 degree oven cook the wonton wrappers in a muffin tin.  After 8 minutes pull them out and place onto a tray.  Then fill like a normal taco!  Eat and Enjoy. 

Cheesy Pepperoni Bread

I am back in the kitchen again, if even for just a quick and I mean quick supper.  This is a take off of a recipe that my Mother-In-Law does.  I used what I had on hand and came up with something close that still works really well.

Cheesy Pepperoni Bread
I
ngredients:
1 can store-bought Pillsbury Italian or French bread--you could absolutely make your own dough- I was just short on time
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese--I used a pizza mixsliced pepperoni--any kind; I used what I had in my freezer (just had to defrost)
marinara sauce for dipping--I used canned stuff on hand

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unroll the bread dough so that it makes a large rectangle. Sprinkle generously with the mozzarella cheese, then top with desired amount of pepperoni. Carefully roll the dough jellyroll style into a loaf and place seam side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Bun in the Oven

So, I haven't really been cooking very much lately in the kitchen.  Instead, I have been cooking a little bun in the oven.  I am currently 12 weeks along and so readyto be done with first trimester.  One more week to go.  I am hoping that by then I will be up to actually cooking a little bit more.  Brian has been doing much of the cooking which has resulted in easy foods becuase my stomach and body can't handle much of anything after a long day of teaching. 

We are so thrilled to welcome Baby A in ealry May.  Right now I am set for Cinco de Mayo.  Here is to more than just baking the bun in the oven in the next few weeks!

Fake Perogies

Every Christmas Eve we attend a celebration with our friends the Barabash's.  We love them and this is a tradition that was before me and has continued after me.  I am so excited to go there every year and enjoy the yummy Ukrainian food.  My favorite dish by far is the perogies.

The reason this is called the fake perogies is because I do not make them the right way.  Instead I make them with wonton wrappers.  This is a big no-no because it is not from the dough.  I have made these multiple times with wonton wrappers and it is just faster than having to make the dough, cut the dough out. 

As a full-time teacher, I tend to be more lazy and go with what is easy.

Fake Perogies

Ingredients:

Wonton wrappers (found in the tofu section)
Potatoes
Cheddar Cheese (shredded)-- 1 package
Onions
Butter
Sour Cream

Directions:
1. Cube potatoes and boil until they are fork tender.
2. Saute the onions (chopped) in butter and reserve for later.
3. Drain the potatoes and add the sauteed onions, and cheese.
4. Mix together with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Open the wonton wrappers and keep them under a wet towel to keep them moist.
6. Put about a tablespoon of the potato mixture in the wonton.  Wet the edges and seal.
7. Store on a tray until you are ready to boil them.
8. Boil them in water and then saute in butter and more onions. (I love mine crispy!)
9. Eat with sour cream and enjoy!


You can also freeze after you make them and flash freeze them individually and then put them in baggies for later use.

We actually used these from our freezer for dinner last night! Love them and it was so yummy.  I have been in a potato mood and these fit the bill!

Out of commission

Sorry friends who have been looking for recipes.  Brian and I have had a crazy past month working on other projects that haven't included cooking.  I am hoping to get a new recipe up here by the end of the long three day weekend and then hopefully get some more that are ready to be posted in the future.

School just started back for me which always makes things worse in the tired arena and less cooking due to summer and just life in general!

Here is to more cooking and loving life!