Around the holidays it’s hard to find healthier food choices. It seems like everything is delicious, but it’s also loaded with calories. When I’m hostessing a party I like to make sure there are healthy options available on the table.
Many times during the holiday season I’m invited to potluck and carry in dinners. Since I never know what is going to be offered, I always try to bring a healthier option to the party myself that everyone will enjoy. Then I know there will be at least one thing there that won’t blow my eating plan completely.
Today I have a …read more

In the fall and winter I like to spice up my parties, and since I’m a big fan of Southwestern cuisine I love spicy nachos, quesadillas, salsas, and guacamole dips. I love avocados, my favorite snack is avocados and corn chips, so whenever I find a new recipe for guacamole, or one that incorporates avocado I have to give it a try.
Avocados are easy to slice, just cut them in half, and pull out the seed. Then take a knife and dice the avocado while it’s still in the peel and then scoop it out. It’s that easy, especially when …read more

I have a confession to make. IntheBuff, or Buff as I like to call him, is a very good friend who loves nothing better than to spend the day in the kitchen cooking for his friends. Even though he lives way down South, every time he makes a batch of his special Matrix sauce (the best. pasta.sauce.ever) he sends me a couple of jars. Ditto split pea soup, red beans, and chicken noodle soup. They’re all amazing and leave me wanting more. So when Buff submits a recipe, it’s sure to be delicious. Here’s his salsa with bonus queso …read more

Lin’s party dip looks rather interesting. Normally, I wouldn’t venture to try a dip recipe with the words “Dried Beef” in the title but Lin assures us it’s delicious, and who am I to argue? If you’re the adventurous type, do try this and let us know how it tastes:
Dried Beef Dip (don’t let the name stop you from trying it)8oz sour cream16oz cream cheese1 small onion chopped fine8oz chipped dried beef
mix all together and bake in oven for 20min at 350.
Take a round pumpernickel and cut out the middle to make it into a bowl and put the dip …read more

Our readers must throw great parties if their dips are any indication. Check out Elizabeth’s Sausage Dip:
My favorite dip isn’t exactly high class, but boy is it tasty and quick to make!
Sausage Dip
1 lb. bulk pork sausage2 8 oz. packages of cream cheese1 can Rotel diced tomatoes
Brown sausage and drain. Add cream cheese and tomatoes. Stir until cheese is melted.
Great with Fritos Scoops!
 
Do you have a dip recipe you’d like to share? Email it to me – the address is in the sidebar, or enter our Magic Bullet contest. Hurry though there are three days left!

Every year my sister makes salsa fresh from her garden. I only had it once (she lives ten hours away) but it was the most delicious salsa I ever tasted. You can’t beat the flavor of fresh vegetables and herbs. Last year I made some of my own using my own garden fresh veggies and it was divine. You can’t beat the taste of fresh, vine ripened tomatoes. Here’s a great salsa-making tutorial. It’s almost time to start planting. Maybe you can use your garden fresh tomatoes to make salsa this year.

I love Hummus, it’s healthy, not fattening and tastes delicious. Yesterday I made it fresh for my mom’s birthday party and thought I’d share the recipe with you. I like to serve my Hummus with pita chips or slices of fresh pita bread. Either way, it’s so good.
I hope you enjoy!
 
INGREDIENTS

2 cups canned chick peas, drained
1/3 cup tahini
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon paprika

DIRECTIONS

Place the chick peas, tahini, lemon juice, salt and garlic in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Spoon into dip bowl.
Drizzle olive oil over the hummus …read more

This is an amazing recipe. I like serving it in a hollowed out round crusty loaf of bread, but you can also serve it in the casserole dish in which it was baked. This is a great party dip, or serve in the evenings on movie night!
INGREDIENTS

1  package cream cheese (8 ounces), softened
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
salt and pepper to taste
1  can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, …read more