NFL PLAYOFF PARTY!!!

1/2 cup cooked corned beef, shredded
1/4 cup sauerkraut, squeezed and drained
1/4 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup either Russian dressing or Thousand Island dressing

I doubled the recipe since I’m serving a big group.  Mix everything, and place it in a baking dish.

Bake at 350 degrees F until bubbling on the sides and golden brown on top, about 20 minutes.

If you like a Reuben sandwich, you will absolutely love this dip!
Slow Cooker Option: Mix everything, place it in the slow cooker and cook until the cheese is nice and melted about 1-2 hours on high or 2-4 hours on low.  Great with chips, crackers or pumpernickle bread.

BUFFALO CHICKEN POTATO SKINS

4 medium baking potatoes such as russet, scrubbed clean
oil for brushing
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded and warm (I used one Rotisserie chickent)
1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s Red Hot)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
2 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup blue cheese dressing
celery and carrots to serve alongside

Prick the potatoes a few times with a fork and bake at 400F until tender, about an hour.

Let the potatoes cool, cut in half and scoop out the middle leaving about 1/8 inch of potato on the skin. Reserve the scooped out potato for another use like mashed potatoes. Brush the potato skins all over with the oil and bake at 450F for 10 minutes on each side.

Mix the hot sauce and the melted butter and then mix in the chicken.

Season the inside of the potato skins with salt and pepper. Fill with the chicken, and then sprinkle on the two cheeses.

Broil until the cheese has melted, just a few minutes.

Serve while still warm, garnished with green onions and with celery and carrot sticks and blue cheese dressing for dipping.

4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
1 (1-pound) package sliced bacon or prosciutto
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 TBSP chili powder

Dipping Sauce:
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp dried chives
1 TBSP dried minced onion
2 drops or so of Tabasco (or your favorite hot sauce)
1 tsp Lemon Pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Cut each bacon slice into thirds. Wrap each chicken cube with bacon and secure with a wooden pick.

Stir together brown sugar and chili powder.

Dredge wrapped chicken in mixture. Coat a rack and broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken wrap on rack in broiler pan. Bake 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until bacon is crisp.  I used thick bacon so it actually took a bit longer.

These are yummy!  Serve with dipping sauce.

3 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil
2 TBSP lemon juice
2 tsp chopped fresh oregano, or 1 teaspoon dried
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 diced hot house cucumbers
1 14-ounce can black-eyed peas, rinsed
2/3 cup diced red bell pepper (I used orange, because it’s what I had on hand)
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/3 cup chopped kalamata olives

Whisk oil, lemon juice, oregano and pepper in a large bowl until combined.

Add cucumber, black-eyed peas, bell pepper, feta, onion and olives; toss to coat.

Allow time for flavors to blend. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

I WANT TO MARRY YOU COOKIES

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until melted.

Remove from the heat.
Add the dark brown sugar and granulated sugar and stir until sugars are incorporated and smooth.

Chill the mixture for 10 minutes.
Remove from the refrigerator and stir in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cinnamon and mix together.

Then add in the butter/sugar mixture and stir.  Finally, stir in the white chocolate chips and chocolate chips.

Roll by hand into 24 medium-size balls or use a scoop, and place on a light-colored cookie sheet.

Chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Remove the cookies from the refrigerator and bake for 12 to 14 minutes.

DISCLAIMER: The creator of these said that these cookies are a sure thing to get someone to fall in love with you…Apparently you may need to be prepared for a marriage proposal on the spot. 

juice of 2 clementines (about 1/4 cup)
juice of 1/2 small lemon (1/2 oz)
1/2 oz triple sec
1 1/2 oz vodka
sprig of rosemary
lemon zest
sugar
Moisten the rim of your glass with some fruit juice. (The juice helps the sugar to adhere better than water does.) Combine zest and sugar in a shallow bowl or plate. Turn the glass over onto plate and coat with sugar. Pour juices, triple sec, and vodka into a shaker. Shake and then pour over ice. Garnish with rosemary sprig. (Makes 1.)

How about these for gameday?  They are little gloves for your first two fingers to be able to support your team and give the VICTORY sign!  Go to Victory Fingers and order your favorite college or pro team’s “fingers” today!  I think they are adorable!!!!