Party Meatballs

This is a great appetizer for any occasion! Each time I take them to a party or football watching get-together, I always leave with my crockpot empty! You can bet that I will serve these at the next Super Bowl Party! :) They make a great hit...and are EXTREMELY EASY! You can also make a meal by serving them over rice/noodles and pairing it with a salad and veggies. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 bag of frozen meatballs (if you use a Costco/Sam's Club bag, use 1/2 - 1/3)

8 oz. Russian salad dressing

15 oz. jellied cranberries

1 onion soup mix packet

8 oz. can crushed pineapple (optional)

Directions:

Place everything in the crockpot and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally.

Jennifer's Hot Artichoke Dip

This recipe is one that my sister Jen is known for in our family.  She makes this on special occasions and it ALWAYS disappears fast!  It is super EASY and takes only minutes just to whip up and pop in the oven.  This definitely is packed full of fat and calories but is so worth it!  Sorry I didn't get a better picture.  I was so hungry and didn't have the patience to actually try to take a good enough picture for this post!

Ingredients:

1 (14oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 C mayo

1 C Parmesan cheese

1 clove garlic, minced

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all ingredients and pour into an 8x8 baking dish.

Bake for 20-25 minutes and serve warm with tortilla chips, toasted bread, pita bites, etc.

Guacamole Dip

Feliz Cinco de Mayo everyone!  I wanted to post a yummy Mexican meal but, unfortunately, I planned poorly and am actually not making our little fiesta dinner until tonight.  But, I do have my FAVORITE guacamole dip ready for you.  I am posting two different recipes, the first one comes from the McCormick Guacamole seasoning packet and the other is one that I use whenever I don't have the packet on hand.  They are both SUPER EASY and YUMMY!

1st Variation

Ingredients:

1 pkg McCormick Guacamole seasoning packet

2 avocados

1 T lime juice (can use lemon if lime is not available)

1 tomato, chopped

2 T red onion, chopped 

Directions:

Peel and chop both avocados; place in bowl. If you like your guacamole to have more of a creamier consistency, mash avocados.

Add the seasoning packet and the rest of the ingredients; mix.

2nd Variation:

Ingredients:

2 avocados

1 T lime juice

2 T red onion, chopped

3-4 T salsa (more or less, depending on taste) 

Directions:

Peel and chop both avocados; place in bowl.

Add rest of ingredients; mix.