The Best Bean Dip Ever

The Best Bean Dip Ever 

1 can, 16 ounces refried beans
1 cup chunky salsa
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, (4 ounces)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, (4 ounces)
3/4 cup sour cream
1 (3 ounces) package cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin, (or more to taste)
tortilla chips


In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients; transfer to a small (1-1/2-qt) slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or until heated through, stirring intermittently. Serve with tortilla chips and salsa.

Optional ways of preparing: The slow cooker is ideal because it keeps the dip warm but you can also prepare this in the oven or even microwave.

For the Oven: Bake dip at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Microwave: Heat in a microwave safe bowl for 5-8 minutes or until cheese is melted and smooth. Stir every couple of minutes.

8 Layer Salad

This is a viral Trader Joe's Salad - everyone said it's so good - we're going to try it.

8 LAYER SALAD

1 bag baby arugula
1 cup cooked orzo
1 container drained bruschetta
1 can drained corn
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup quattro formaggi cheese
1 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
Buttermilk ranch dressing

Lay arugula on platter. Layer all other ingredients except ranch like "stripes" the short way on top of the arugula. Drizzle with ranch and serve. 

Christmas Scalloped Potatoes

This is REALLY GENIUS - not to brag. We have had Costco's Main Street Bistro's scalloped potatoes before - quite a bit. My kids really love them. They are delicious and can be made in 8 minutes in the microwave - how can you go wrong?

A couple of the kids asked to have them for Christmas dinner but since Christmas dinner is a special occasion I wanted to do something to kick them up - and it was SO EASY!! These potatoes are getting a permanent spot on our Christmas dinner plate from now on!

This year we did 4 trays - but we definitely could get away with just doing 2 next year. To make sure they are warmed all the way through, we followed the package directions and microwaved them for 8 minutes. When they were done warming through, we put them in a nice 9 x 13 casserole dish. You have to manipulate them to lay in an even layer. Do as many trays as needed and add them to the dish once warmed. 

The KICK IT UP part? We shredded gruyere cheese and sprinkled it in an even layer over the top. I put it in a 400 degree oven with the carrots for about 30 minutes and they were heated through and had that golden cheese moment on top! Seriously so good!!

 

Classic Cheese Fondue

I decided to try doing a fondue night for Christmas Eve this year. It's fairly easy and it's all stuff we have on hand - or that we will definitely eat over the Christmas vacation...

 

Classic Cheese Fondue

1 garlic clove, halved
1 pound Harmon's Mountain Fondue Blend
1 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg

In a large bowl, gently mix the cheese with the cornstarch. Rub the garlic clove all over the inside of the fondue pot. Heat the chicken stock and lemon juice to a slow simmer. Gradually add the cheese, gently melting each addition before adding more to help ensure a smooth fondue. Once creamy and delicious, either consume it immediately, stirring occasionally to keep it clump free. Serve with crusty bread, sausage, carrots, broccoli, apples, etc. Anything that goes well with cheese should be dipped into this fondue.

Chocolate Fondue Ganache

One of the biggest hits of the night (food wise!) was Costco's cream puffs dipped in this chocolate sauce. It was so freakin good!!

Chocolate Fondue Ganache

2 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
12 ounces excellent chocolate chips

Heat up the heavy cream in a fondue pot just until it boils. Watch this extremely closely. Pour the heated heavy cream directly over the high quality chocolate chips and let it sit for 5 minutes.

This year we did this for Christmas Eve and used my small crock pot. It didn't heat up as fast as a fondue pot (obviously) and we all wished the chocolate was a little thicker - so maybe next year we'll add less cream.  

Starbucks Medicine Ball

If you have a sore throat, cough, cold or are just feeling yucky, this is a comforting drink to have.

Starbucks Medicine Ball
1 cup Lemonade
1 cup hot water
Mint tea bag
Peach tea bag

Honey

Add the lemonade and water together and heat up in the microwave for 2- 3 minutes. Steep the mint and peach tea bags for a few minutes. Remove the tea bags and drizzle with honey.

Christmas Cereal Mix

Christmas Cereal Mix
4 cups Rice Chex cereal 
8 cups Honey bunches of Oats with Almonds 
1 1/2 cups shredded sweetened coconut (blitzed in the cuisinart)
1 1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.

In a very large bowl, add the Chex and Bunches cereal, coconut, and almonds and stir together.

Microwave version: In a large microwave safe bowl, add the butter, sugar, and corn syrup. Microwave for 5 minutes stirring halfway. Remove and stir well. Microwave for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and add the vanilla and baking soda.

Immediately pour the sugar mixture over the cereal mixture and stir until very well combined. Spread onto the prepared baking dish and let cool. Break into pieces and enjoy.

Thanksgiving 2023

Maisie was hospitalized the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, so we had to come up with a different schedule in order to get everything accomplished.

Wednesday Day: Jack sauteed all the veg and sausage for his new stuffing as well as the sausage for the sausage bread. Put each in tupperwares and in the fridge. Patrick made the brine and thawed the turkey.

Wednesday night: I made cranberry sauce (now pureed per Maisie and Biz request), boiled the sweet potatoes, blanched the brussels sprouts, put out the Rhodes loaves for the sausage bread in the morning, Patrick cleaned out the turkey and put the turkey in the brine, Piper made the chocolate pie and Biz made the new version of pumpkin pie.

Thursday Patrick made the sausage bread and started the turkey before heading out to visit Maisie at the hospital. I got the kids up and going on their dishes. Biz did mashed potatoes in the crock pot, Piper layered the sweet potatoes, I did the first part of the focaccia bread for the stuffing bc Jack was at work. I also started the rolls (usually Maisie's job). 

When Jack came home, he finished up the focaccia bread and cooked it in the oven. When the turkey was close, I put the brussels sprouts and the rolls in the oven. We ALMOST forget the gravy every year!! This year was no exception. But - at the last minute I pulled it off.

*Cooking the sweet potatoes and blanching the brussels sprouts the night before was genius!! Don't forget to do that every year from now on!