When you have a few crowd-pleasing, delicious recipes that are quick and easy to prepare you'll enjoy playing hostess. Here are a few yummy favorites that have always been hits when I serve them. I hope you fall in love with them like I have and make at least one a go-to recipe for your guests. Enjoy!
Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos Wrapped in Bacon
Ingredients:
- Jalapenos (15 peppers close in size)
- 1 package cream cheese
- 2 (12 oz) packages of uncooked bacon
- Toothpicks
Directions:
- I suggest using rubber gloves when making these, otherwise the seeds can really burn/blister your hands. Start by cutting the jalapenos lengthwise in half (leave stems on or off, your choice).
- Scrape seeds out of the peppers then stuff with cream cheese.
- Place the pepper halves back together and wrap with bacon. Secure with a toothpick and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour. If you cook them slowly (at 350°F or lower), the cream cheese and bacon pull the heat out of the peppers and they taste delicious but not spicy. If you want them spicy, just cook at a higher temperature for less time.
7 Layer Mexican Dip
A welcome companion to nacho chips!
Ingredients:
- 1 (16 oz) can seasoned refried beans
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup salsa (any variety)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup sharp shredded cheese
- Sliced green onions (4-5)
- 1 small can sliced black olives
Directions:
- Spread refried beans in bottom of dish. Layer remaining ingredients in order listed above.
- Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving.
Chocolate Toffee Delectable Trifle
pretty and delicious
Ingredients:
- 2 packages of store bought 'brownie bites' (or homemade brownies)
- 1 (16 oz) container of Cool Whip
- 1 cup coffee - cooled
- 1 (8 oz) bag Hershey's Heath Bits-o-Brickle baking pieces (or crushed Heath/ Skor bars)
- 1 package of instant chocolate pudding (prepared)
- a clear glass container or trifle dish for the best presentation
Directions:
- Crumble brownie into small, bite-size chunks and put 1/2 in the bottom of the dish.
- Pour 1/2 cup coffee over brownies.
- Pour 1/2 chocolate pudding on top of brownies.
- Put 1/2 of the cool whip on top then sprinkle 1/2 of the crushed toffee bits over this.
- Repeat steps (1-4) above with the remaining ingredients, sprinkling the remaining crushed toffee over top of dish.
- You could also decorate with colored sprinkles or put a few cherries on top. Allow this dessert to stand in refrigerator for 1-2 hours before serving.
Crusty Gooey Cheesy Bread
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf french bread, cut into 1/2 inch slices
- 2 cups sharp cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp cream cheese, softened
- 2 Tbsp butter, softened
- 1/2 cup chopped green onion
- 1/2 cup sliced black or green olives (optional)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Directions:
- Combine cheeses (cream and sharp), butter,mayonnaise, onion, olives and garlic powder in bowl. Mix well until blended consistently.
- Spread mixture over bread slices.
- Broil on low heat about 4 minutes or until cheese mixture is melted and lightly browned. Remove from oven and allow to stand for several minutes before serving.
These yummy, party-friendly foods are sure to please your guests. For the big game, we usually order out wings and/or pizza and combine that with several or all of the dishes above.
Michelle Hansen - Michelle Hansen is a special education teacher, freelance writer, webmaster of a popular work at home website and Christian mom and wife. ...
Join the Conversation