Spinach Pinwheel Appetizers

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! Who's excited for 2014? I certainly am! Can't wait to watch the ball drop! Thats' my favorite part of New Year's. What about yours? Is it having a party with all your friends? Well then I have the perfect recipe for all you party people out there! 

Song: Feel This Moment by Pitbull and Christina Aguilera 

Ingredients:

2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed drained & squeezed dry in paper towels
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 envelope ranch dip mix
1 jar bacon bits (or to taste)
4 green onions, chopped
1 (8 count) package 10-inch flour tortillas

Directions:
1. In medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise.
2. Beat in dip mix.
3. Add green onion, bacon bits and spinach (broken up into small clumps).
4. Mix thoroughly.
5. Spread mixture onto tortillas, leaving a 1/2" space around edge.
6. Roll up each tortilla tightly, and wrap each in plastic wrap.
7. Chill for several hours or overnight.
8. To serve, cut off ends and cut into 1/2" slices.

Did You Know?

On this day in 1640, Duke of Braganca crowned King Johan IV of Portugal.

Potato Casserole

Here is a great dish for all you potato lovers!

Song: My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark by Fall Out Boy

Ingredients:

• 1 (10.5 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup *

• 2 Cups Sour cream

• 1 Teaspoon Salt

• 1/4 Teaspoon Ground black pepper

• 2 Cups Shredded cheddar cheese

• 1/3 Cup Sliced green onions

• 1 Package (30 oz.) Ore-Ida® Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes

• 2 Cups Crushed corn flake cereal

• 1/4 Cup Butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 13x9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together soup, sour cream, salt and pepper. Stir in cheese, onion and hash browns until well mixed. Spoon evenly into baking dish.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together cereal and butter. Sprinkle evenly on top of hash brown mixture.
4. Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste if desired. Garnish with additional sliced green onion if desired.

Did You Know?

On this day in 1716, the 1st lion was exhibited in America (Boston).

Red Velvet Cupcakes

So Thanksgiving is in two days and I'm so excited!!! So I decided to help make desserts like I do every year and since my sister is coming home from college we are going to make Red Velvet Cupcakes! Yum! Hope you guys love them!

Song: Coming Back Down by Hollywood Undead

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 ounces water
2 ounces red food coloring
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking so

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare cupcake tins as directed as directed in the recipe you are following.
2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Add eggs and blend well.
4. Make a paste of cocoa and food coloring and add to the butter mixture.
5. Sift flour and salt together into this mixture.
6. One at a time, add the following ingredients: buttermilk, vanilla, and water.
7. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and baking soda. Fold it into the cake batter. Make sure it's incorporated, but don't beat it.
8. Pour the batter into the cupcake tins. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cake springs back when touched.
9. Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes, then turn the cupcakes out of the tins and onto a rack to finish cooling completely.

*you can use vanilla icing for the top of the cupcake if you wish or you can use cream cheese icing

Did You Know?

On this day in 1620, the Mayflower reached Cape Cod.

Angel Hair Pasta with Pesto and Chickpeas

Your own little angels will love this great dish that is perfect for any occasion. You can't imagine how great it is until you try it. So take out those cooking utensils and let's get started!

Song: I Can Only Imagine by David Guetta ft. Chris Brown & Lil Wayne

1. Ingredients:

   
   • 2 or 3 whole garlic cloves, peeled
   • 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnut pieces
   • 1/2 tsp. salt, plus 2 tsp. for the cooking water
   • 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves (about 3 oz.), plus extra for garnish
   • 1/2 cup olive oil, plus 1 tbsp. for the cooking water
   • 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
   • 1 to 2 tbsp. butter, softened
   • 3/4 lb. angel-hair pasta
   • 1 19 oz. can chickpeas, drained and well rinsed

   Directions:

   1. ~Combine the garlic, nuts, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in the bowl of a food processor and process the ingredients until they are finely chopped. Add the basil and olive oil and process again until the herb is finely chopped, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl several times.
   2. ~Transfer the mixture to a bowl, then stir in the cheese and softened butter. Spread half of the pesto in the bottom of a shallow pasta serving bowl and reserve the rest.
   3. ~Now prepare the pasta by bringing 4 to 5 quarts of water to boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 teaspoons of salt to the boiling water. Gradually add the pasta and cook it according to the package directions. Add the chickpeas for the last minute of cooking.
   4. ~Once they've cooked, immediately drain the pasta and chickpeas and transfer them to the pesto bowl without delay to keep the cooked angel hair from clumping together. Spoon the remaining pesto onto the pasta and toss well.
   5. ~Serve at once, garnishing each portion with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Makes 4 to 5 servings.