Charcuterie Board

Cheese: 2 oz per person (4 oz per person if this is the only food item)

• Soft Cheese (2-3 types): Brie, Camembert, Cambozola, Burrata, Blue, Fontina, Goat
• Semi Hard (2-3 types): Gouda, White Cheddar, Manchego, Gruyere, Caramelized Onion Cheddar*
• Spreadable Cheese (1): Boursin Garlic Cheese*
• 8 oz Mini Mozzarella Cheese Balls*

Our favorite cheeses: Port Salut (Smith’s), Merlot Bellavitano (Smith’s) and Caramelized Onion (Trader Joe’s)

Meats: 1-2 oz per person (2-4 oz per person if this is the only food item)

• Prosciutto (Combo pack*)
• Gor Pepperoni
• Calabrese 
• Salami

Fruits:

• Grapes
• Kiwi
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Apple
• Pear
• Figs (Dried?)
• Clementines
• Dried Apricots*
• Dried Prunes
• Dark Cherries

Other:

• One Large Board or Flat Platter or Cookie Sheet
• Assorted Crackers*
• Baguette
• Honey
• Jam or Fruit Spread
• Green Olives
• Trail mix - Almond Cashew Chocolate Mix*

*Get at Trader Joe's

Instructions:

1. Gather board, small bowls, appetizer forks, spreaders, cheese knifes.
2. Clean the board or surface and dry thoroughly.
3. Wash and gently pat dry any fruits being used.
4. Unwrap the cheese and meats being used.
5. Slice any cheese and meats that need to be sliced
1. Use some parchment paper or wax paper to protect your board from any grease from the meat or cheeses.
6. Start at the center of the board and arrange items on the board. Try to set contrasting colors and shapes together to create a more visual interest.
7. Have the board ready about 30 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to soften to make easier for spreading.

Salsa

2 cans Diced Tomato's

1 1/2 tsp Garlic Salt (or more to taste)

2 Tbs Elpato Sauce (yellow can with duck on it)

2 Tbs White Vinegar

1 Tbs Sugar (can add less)

1/2 can diced green chilies (other half can be placed in a baggie and then freeze for later)

Cilantro (close to a full bunch)

Put all ingredients in a blender and pulse until it is mixed and at the consistency that you want.

Serve with tortilla chips!

From: Holly Nelson & Heather Skanchy

7 Layer Bean Dip

1-2 Cans of Refried Beans
1 1/2 Cups Sour Cream or Greek Plain Yogurt
1-2 tsp Taco Seasoning
3 Medium Avocados
1/2 Juice of a Lime
Salt
Shredded Cheese
1 Medium/Large Cans of sliced Olives
Green Onions
Tomato's
Chopped Cilantro (optional)

Tortilla Chips

1. In a glass 9x13 dish first layer the refried beans in the bottom.  Mash the avocados and mix in the lime juice.  Salt to taste then layer on top of the beans.
2. Next mix the taco seasoning into the Sour Cream/Yogurt start with 1 tsp and taste if it needs more then add another 1/2 tsp-1 tsp more.  Layer on top of the avocado mixture.
3. Sprinkle the shredded cheese to cover the sour cream.  The rest of topping are optional add Olives, Green Onions, Tomato's and Cilantro.  Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.  Enjoy with tortilla chips. 

Brussel Sprouts Flatbread

Ingredients:

• 1/2 C Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
• 1/2 C Shredded Parmesan Cheese, divided
• 2 small cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• Dash crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 Tbls Olive Oil
• 1 C thinly sliced Brussels Sprouts
• 1/4 C thinly sliced Red Onions
• 1/2 C shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• 1 large store bought Flatbread or individual flatbreads will work too
• Additional Parmesan cheese for serving, if desired
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, 1/4 c of parmesan cheese, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, crushed red pepper, salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside.
3. In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat.  Ad the sliced brussels sprouts and sliced red onions.  Cook for 3 minutes, just until Brussels sprouts and red onions are softened. Set aside.
4. Place the flatbread on a large baking sheet.  Spread the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the flatbread with a spatula.  Top evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese, remaining parmesan cheese, brussels sprouts and onions.
5. Place the flatbread in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted and the flatbread is golden brown.  Remove from the oven and squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over the top.  Sprinkle with extra parmesan cheese, if desired.  Cut into slices and serve immediately.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 20 mins

From: Katie Delahunty

Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:

• 10 oz bag Spinach Leaves (Chopped)
• 14 oz Artichoke Hearts (Chopped)
• 2- 8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
• 1 cup Sour Cream
• 5 tsp minced Garlic
• 1 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese (grated)
• 3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Serve with:

• Baguette Slices
• Chips 
• Crackers

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.  In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and sour cream with an electric mixer until smooth and mixed.
2. Stir in chopped spinach leaves, chopped artichoke hearts, garlic, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
3. Spread dip into an 9x13 baking dish. Top with any leftover mozzarella and parmesan cheese, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 30-35 minutes or until cheese is melted. 

www.cupcakediariesblog.com 

Fried Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

Favorite Mac & Cheese Recipe
2 Eggs
1/4 C Milk
3 C Bread Crumbs
Vegetable Oil (for frying)

Optional Sauces:

Ketchup
Mustard
Ranch
Barbecue Sauce
Salsa
Guacamole
Marinara Sauce

Directions:

1. Form your cold macaroni & cheese into 1 inch balls and place on pan.  Put pan in freezer for 1 hour.
2. Beat Eggs and milk in a bowl to make an egg wash.
3. Dip balls into egg wash then roll in bread crumbs and coat completely.
4. Heat oil in deep fryer to 320 or fill a skillet 1/2-3/4 deep and head over medium heat to 320.
5. Fry the coated mac & cheese balls for 3-4 minutes and place on paper towel.
6. Serve with sauce

Shrapnel Bean Dip

Ingredients:
1 can of White Beans (Navy or Great Northern)
1 can of Black Beans
1 can of Corn
1-2 Avocados (diced)
1/4-1/2 cup of Red Pepper (diced)
1-2 Roma Tomatoes
2 Tbls Red Onion (finely chopped)
2-3 Tbls Cilantro (finely chopped)
1/3 cup Italian dressing (add more if needed)
Squeeze of a fresh lime (about 1/2 Tbls or 1/2 of a lime)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Tortilla Chips

Directions:
1. Drain and rinse the beans and corn.  Dry as best as you can, use a salad spinner and/or place on a paper towel to blot dry.  After they are completely dry add to a large bowl.
2. Add avocados, red pepper, tomatoes, red onion and cilantro to the bowl.  Mix together and then pour the dressing over the top of the salad.  Mix until everything is coated evenly. (If making in advance wait until right before serving to chop and stir in the avocados.)
3. Squeeze the lime juice over the top and gently mix in. Salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately with chips.

Potato Rounds/Irish Nachos

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 Pounds of potatoes (Cleaned and sliced 1/4 inch thick)
• 2 Tbls Olive Oil
• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary leaves (crushed)
• 1/2 tsp Thyme
• Salt & Pepper
• 6 Bacon slices (cooked, drained and crumbled) 
• 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Barbecue Sauce
• Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt (optional)
• Pico de gallo/salsa/diced tomatoes (optional)
• 2 minced Green Onion slices (optional)
• 1 Tbls Chopped Cilantro leaves (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450º. Wash and slice potatoes leaving the skins on.  
2. Put potato slices into a bowl or gallon zip lock bag.  Drizzle olive oil, rosemary and thyme over potatoes and mix to coat the potato slices.  
3. Place the potato slices, in a single layer, onto a baking sheet.  Bake 20 minutes, turn over and bake an additional 20 minutes.
4. Using a pastry brush, generously brush the potato slices with barbecue sauce.  
5. Sprinkle each potato slice with the crumbled bacon and then top with the cheese.  Return to the over and bake 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted.  
6. Sprinkle with green onions and cilantro.  Then serve with sour cream, yogurt and/or salsa/tomatoes.