Hot Artichoke Dip

Yesterday we had Sydney Grace's 2nd Birthday party.  Last year Nick slaved over the grill for the entire party, and we barely saw each other.  He was asking me if certain people came over...he was that busy slaving for food.  This year we wisened up.  PIZZA!  Delivery!  I know, I have a food blog and thus should make fantastic food every day of my life, right??  I don't have time for that, especially on a day that I want to ENJOY the party and watch my little girl enjoy herself too. 

I did prepare ONE appetizer, in large quantities.  And by the end of the party, it was ALL GONE.

I'll share it with you, but its so easy, you'll laugh.  Here goes...

Hot Artichoke Dip

Here's what I used:

2 cups chopped artichoke hearts

2 cups Hellmann's Mayonnaise

2 cups shredded parmesan (not powdered)

Here's what I did:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine three ingredients in mixing bowl, and then transfer to 8x8 glass or ceramic baking dish. 

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Serve with Triscuits or your favorite crackers.

**Here's what makes this recipe so easy, notice the portions.  They're equal.  You can easily double, triple, etc. and still get the same result.  For the party...I made two 9 x 12 baking dishes full of this dip (using 4:4:4) in EACH dish...and it was delicious.  I quoted this recipe to at least 5 people.  I hope they try it themselves!

Mia's Pico de Gallo (Guacamole)

My grandmother taught me this fresh, simple recipe years ago. Its a family & friend favorite, so I thought I would share it.

Here's what I use:

2 avocado's, diced
2 roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 white onion, diced
1 bunch cilantro, rough chopped
juice from one lime
S&P
pinch of Red Pepper Flake (optional)

Here what I do:

Add all ingredients to a med/large mixing bowl and stir. Very difficult. Serve with tortilla chips. ;)

Black Bean & Cherry Tomato Dip with Goat Cheese

My husband was playing golf last night, so it was just the girls. Sydney, myself, and our two dogs, Jazmyn and Madison. Since it was just us, I made snacks, which is something I love to do. I'm a grazer by nature; I love the variety that snacks offer. That said, I'm in dire need of FOOD, I haven't shopped for this week, so the kitchen is "running on empty". I still found a way to have a yummy snack AND satisfy the picky Ms. Sydney.

Sydney got baked Sweet Potato Fries. Yes they came from a bag in the freezer. (gasp). Sue me, it was easy, she'd eat it, and we HAD it.

I made a variation of an Ina Garten recipe, her's was entitled "Stewed Lentils & Tomatoes". I had fresh cherry tomatoes from my neighbor's garden, and a can of black beans, so this recipe fit the intent of my ingredients. I also had some left over goat cheese. YUMM.

Here's what I used:

2 tbsp good olive oil
1 can black beans, rinsed & drained
1 shallot, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
12-14 cherry tomatoes, rough chopped
1/3 cup chicken stock
S&P

Here's what I did:

I added the olive oil to a sauce pan and put on medium heat. Once hot, I added my shallot, and allowed to soften for about 5 minutes, added garlic, and cooked for 1 minute. Then I added my black beans, tomatoes and chicken stock. I was going for a dip-like consistency, so took out my potato masher, and gave the whole mix about a dozen mashings. I let this cook down until it reached the consistency of hummus. At this point, I added S&P to taste and adjusted accordingly. I'm not shy on flavor, so I probably added a good tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of pepper...but adjust to your liking.

I then used a spatula to transfer all my hot yummy dip to a bowl, and crumbled about 2 oz. of goat cheese on top. I enjoyed my dip with some whole grain flatbread crackers w/ the little seeds on top. It was SO YUMMY!!!

No reviews for this one other than mine. I loved it. It hit the spot. Sydney was not a fan, but I didn't expect her to be. It was mine, all mine. I think I'll have some for lunch wrapped in a spinach wrap. Ooooh, the possibilities. It would also be AWESOME as a burger topper, for those that like to add, add, add to their burgers.