Rice Christmas Treats

Here's a good holiday spin on a classic recipe- rice krispie treats!  Makes about two dozen treats.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
6 cups mini marshmallows
green food coloring
6 cups rice krispies cereal
1 cup red and green plain M&M's candy

Kitchen gear: 
13 by 9 inch pan
Non-stick cooking spray
Wax paper

Directions:
1.  Place the butter in a large microwave safe bowl.  Microwave for 45 seconds or until melted. Add marshmallows and stir until they are coated evenly with butter.  Microwave for 45 seconds.
2.  Stir in 6-10 drops of food coloring.  Heat another 45 seconds in the microwave.
3.  Add rice krispies cereal, stir until well mixed.  Spray the inside of the 13 by 9 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray, then scrape the rice krispie mix into the pan.
4.  Tear off a sheet of wax paper large enough to cover the pan.  Spray lightly with the cooking spray and use this to press the rice krispie mix into an even layer in the pan. 
5.  Remove the wax paper and sprinkle M&M's over the top of the rice krispie mix.  Use the wax paper sheet to press M&M's into the rice krispie mix.
6.  Let the mix stand for a couple hours.  Use a large knife to cut the mix into bars or triangles.  Store at room temperature in an air-tight container.

Creepy Caprese Sammiches

I made these for a Halloween potluck, and they were a big hit!  They're supposed to look like eyes, but they work for a non-themed gathering also.

Ingredients:
1 loaf French bread (the long skinny kind)
6 roma tomatoes
8 oz ball of mozzarella cheese
1 can sliced black olives, drained
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Crushed basil flakes
Black pepper

Directions:
1.  Do the prep-work: this step can be done the day before if needed.  Slice the bread into one inch thick slices.  Slice the tomatoes- I got about six slices per tomato.  Slice the cheese, and cut the larger pieces in half.  You are aiming to get equal amounts of bread, tomato and cheese.  Store each in a separate container until 30 minutes before serving.
2.  Place the bread slices on a large plate and cover with a light drizzle of olive oil and vinegar.
3.  Top each bread slice with a tomato, cheese and olive slice. 
4.  Drizzle lightly again with the olive oil and vinegar, then finish with a sprinkle of basil and black pepper over the top.

*** Note: Some of you may have just the store bought bottles of oil and vinegar, not the glass bottles which "drizzle."  Try filling the bottle cap with liquid and quickly pouring it across the plate.  This will ensure you don't accidentally pour out half the bottle when trying to "drizzle."

Skinny Sloppy Joes

I remember the good old days when Sloppy Joes and tater tots were a weekly meal at my house.  Today, my husband and I are eating healthier things, but sometimes we do get that nostalgic craving.  Here's a way to enjoy the Sloppy Joe taste without all the canned calories.  Makes about six sandwiches.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced bell pepper (red, green or mixed)
10 oz tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Buns (we used thin, whole wheat buns)
Cheese (optional)

Directions:
1. Cook turkey, onion and pepper in a large pan, stirring occasionally until the meat is no longer pink.  Place the mix in a colander to drain off the excess grease, then return it to the pan.
2. Stir in tomato sauce, water, chili powder and garlic powder.  Heat to bubbling, then simmer on low heat for five minutes.
3. Scoop mix onto buns and top with cheese if desired.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

These bite-sized treats are decadent and delicious!  The preparation is a bit messy, so I would suggest working with a partner.  Makes three to four dozen balls.

Ingredients:
1 small jar creamy peanut butter
1 stick butter
1 package (16 oz) powdered sugar
1 box rice krispies cereal
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Scoop out all of the peanut butter and place in a large saucepan with the stick of butter.  Heat on low, stirring occasionally until completely melted.
2.  Remove the pan from heat and stir in about half the box of powdered sugar. You need to get the consistency of a stiff cookie dough, otherwise they will be too runny.  Add more powdered sugar until you get this consistency.
3.  Add 1 1/2 cups of rice krispies, more if desired.  Stir until well mixed.
4.  Take spoonfuls of the mixture and roll them into balls with your hands.  Your hands will get messy after a few, so wash and dry your hands and then get back to it. 
5.  Pour chocolate chips into a pot and heat using the "double boiler" method.  Basically, have a separate pot with simmering water and place the pot with chocolate on top of it, so the steam indirectly heats it up.  Heat chocolate until completely melted, then remove from heat.
6.  Roll peanut butter balls in melted chocolate, place on a plate covered in wax paper.  Refrigerate the balls for a few hours until the chocolate shell has hardened.

***Note:  To save time and mess, grab a partner for the last three steps.  One person handles the peanut butter mix and rolls out the balls while the other person handles the chocolate coating.  Easy!

Bacon Brownies

You know you've always wanted to try them... the logic commonly used is, "if I like items A and B, why wouldn't I like A and B combined?" So here is an amazingly easy recipe to wow your friends and family- just add bacon!

Ingredients:
5 strips bacon (more if desired, but it's a good start)
1 box brownie mix
Required brownie mix-ins (such as eggs, water, etc.)

Directions:
1.  Cook bacon strips in a pan until just crispy.  You want to be able to cut them easily with a knife, but not rock-hard.  Place bacon on a paper towel to cool.  Reserve bacon grease.
2.  Assemble brownie ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Instead of using plain vegetable oil, use the bacon grease.  If there isn't enough, add vegetable oil until you get the required ammount.  Stir until just combined.
3.  Chop up bacon strips into bite-sized pieces.  Fold into the brownie mix.
4.  Pour the mix into a greased pan and bake according to brownie package directions.  Let cool before eating- the brownies will cut easier and you won't burn your mouth :-)

BBQ Chicken Skewers

This recipe is easy to make, and only requires a few minutes of cooking on the grill.  Makes approximately four skewers.

Ingredients:
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks
2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
1 can pineapple chunks in juice (reserve juice)
1 red pepper, cut into chunks
1/2 onion, cut into chunks

Directions:
1. Place BBQ sauce and one tablespoon of pineapple juice in a large ziplock bag.  Add chicken, seal, and shake to coat evenly.  Let the bag sit for five minutes.
2. Assemble the chicken, pepper, onion and pineapple on skewers in an alternating fashion.  Tip: be careful when sliding them on, you don't want to poke yourself or get a splinter.  Also, the chicken will be a bit slippery, so top it with an onion or pepper chunk to help it go down the skewer.
3.  Grill on the BBQ on low heat until the chicken has fully cooked through. Use a fork to remove the food from the skewers, divide between plates and serve.

Note: Pictured on the top of the pile is a bacon skewer with leftover pineapple.  It's not included in the recipe, but it's darn tasty!  Also, you can use the leftover pineapple juice in a cocktail, or just drink it as is.

Fondue for Dinner

Fondue is back in style, and it's a great way to share a meal with your family and friends.  Get yourself a fondue pot (or borrow one from a friend), grab some ingredients and get cookin'!  This recipe is for a main dish fondue- a seasoned broth in which you can cook meat and veggies.  I would suggest making the dips first, then making the broth so once it's done you're ready to go.  Serves up to 4 people.

Mojo-style Broth
5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon jerk seasoning (or blend of spices, if you don’t have jerk)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 cloves minced garlic

Dippers:
Assorted bite-sized chunks of meat, such as chicken and beef
Small peeled shrimp
Assorted bite-sized vegetables, such as broccoli and baby carrots

Directions:
1. Combine ingredients in saucepan on stovetop, bring to a boil.
2. Transfer to fondue pot, increase heat until broth simmers.
3. Add vegetables first- they will take a few minutes to cook. Use fondue forks to cook the meat pieces in the broth. Meat and poultry will take 1-2 minutes to cook, and shrimp about a minute. Use a slotted spoon to scoop out the vegetables. Use the dips listed below, or any other sauces you like.

Green Goddess Dip
8 ounces cream cheese, cut into slices
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
2 tablespoons finely sliced chives (or green onions)
1 tablespoon dry Italian herbs

Directions:
1. Microwave cream cheese 1-2 minutes, whisking after each minute, until cream cheese melts and mixture is smooth.
2. Stir in milk, sour cream, parsley, chives and herbs. Refrigerate for a few minutes, until cold. Serve with fondue.

Curry Dip
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons curry powder
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

Combine ingredients, serve with fondue.