Marshmallow Creme Dip

This is so easy and so good and much better than the kind you buy at the store.  I can't get enough!  Really.  I can't.

1 small jar marshmallow creme

1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened

2 - 3 T orange juice

Beat together until smooth and creamy.  Refrigerate until serving.  Serve with your favorite fruit.

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Thingies

My friend, Amber, introduced my to these from The Pioneer Woman, and I was hooked. I seriously wished no one else wanted them because I wanted them ALL. Super, super good!

20 whole fresh jalapenos, 2-3 inches in size
2 cubes cream cheese, softened
1 pound bacon, sliced into thirds

If you have them, slip on some latex gloves for the pepper prep. Cut jalapenos in half, length-wise. With a spoon, remove the seeds and white membrane (the source of the heat; leave a little if you like things hot). Smear softened cream cheese into each jalapeno half. Wrap jalapeno with bacon pieces (1/3 slice). Secure by sticking toothpick through the middle. (At this point, you can freeze them, uncooked, in a Ziploc bag for later use).

Bake on a pan with a rack in a 375-degree oven for 20-25 minutes. You don’t want the bacon to shrink so much it starts to the squeeze the jalapeno. If, after 20 minutes, the bacon doesn’t look brown enough, just turn on the broiler for a couple of minutes to finish it off.

Serve immediately.

Burger-Potato Bites

We had these for our Super Bowl party. They were a big hit -- cute and tasty. I got the idea from Better Homes and Gardens e-newsletter.

16 large frozen waffle-cut French fries
1 lb ground beef
2 t grilling seasoning blend
4 slices cheese, cut into quarters (I used American)
4 cherry tomatoes, sliced
mustard, ketchup and/or dill pickles slices

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Evenly space potatoes on baking sheet and bake for 18 - 20 minutes or until crisp and slightly browned. Remove from oven.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine meat and seasoning. Form into sixteen mini-burgers. In a skillet, cook burgers, uncovered over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, or until done. Drain fat. Top each potato with a burger, cheese quarter and (optional) tomato slice. (I left off the tomatoes and allowed people to put them on afterwards.) Broil 4 - 5 inches from heat for 1 -2 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with condiments.

Sweet & Sour Cocktail Sausages

Mix the following in a saucepan over low heat and simmer 15 minutes:

2 c brown sugar

1 1/2 c ketchup

1/4 c mustard

1 t salt

2 T Worcestershire sauce

2 t vinegar

1/2 c chopped onions

Add either cocktail sausages or sliced smoked sausage and simmer until meat is heated through. Transfer to a slow cooker to keep warm.

Nacho Cheese Dip

I made this for our first New Year's party as a married couple. It disappeared!

1 lb regular Velveeta, sliced
1 lb Mexican Velveeta, sliced
1 lb ground beef
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 tomato, diced

Brown beef, drain and rinse. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Turn to high and stir often as cheese melts, then turn to warm or low.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Melvin's recipe -- my favorite -- from the First Capital Christian Church cookbook (with a little revision by me in the cooking stage)

2 lbs large button mushrooms
6 oz cream cheese
12 oz pork sausage

Trim bottoms off of stems. Wash mushrooms and pop out the stems. Chop up for later use. Crumble and beginning browning the sausage, adding the chopped mushroom stems before it's fully cooked. When the sausage is done, drain grease then add the cream cheese and stir until blended. Stuff the mushrooms.

I usually make ahead by a few hours and store in the fridge. Then I bake in a 375 oven for 20 minutes. My Christmas party wouldn't be complete without them!