Man Dip

I have no idea where this recipe originally came from but it's a recipe my family has made for years and years. It is the simplest of dips to whip up! With football starting in just a few days it's the perfect time to pop this up on the blog.

2 8oz packages cream cheese
2 cans hormel chili (with or without beans)
2 cups shredded cheddar

Heat oven to 375. Spread the cream cheese in the bottom of a 9x11 baking dish. Top with the chili and then the cheddar cheese. Bake in the oven for 15-25 minutes or until it's bubbly and the cheese is melted. Serve with frito scoops or tortilla chips.

Creamy BLT Gnocchi

This recipe made for a wonderful and filling dinner! I slightly adapted it from Life as a Strawberry.

1 lb. gnocchi
3 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp minced garlic
3 tbsp. flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 large tomato (diced)
1 cup arugula (chopped)
8 strips cooked and crumbled bacon

Boil the gnocchi according to the directions.  Melt the butter in pan over medium high heat add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds then whisk in the flour.  Slowly whisk in the milk and bring to a simmer stirring constantly, remove from heat when the mixture begins to thicken up. Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted. Add the gnocchi, arugula, bacon and tomato once the arugula has wilted then serve.

Turkey Club Pinwheels

Every other week we rotate bringing snacks to our small group under a  different category, sweet, salty or main.  I whipped these up for our main dish a few weeks ago and they were a huge hit. You can put different dipping sauces on the side, I did honey mustard.

8 Whole Wheat Sandwich Wraps
1 1/2 lbs sliced deli turkey
2 lb cooked bacon
16 pieces  thin sliced cheddar cheese
16 pieces thin sliced provolone cheese
2-3 tomatoes (sliced thin)
shredded lettuce

Lay out the wrap on individual pieces of tin foil.  Layer 2 pieces of cheddar then two pieces of provolone on each wrap.  Top with 3-4 pieces of turkey then 2-3 slices of bacon. Layer a few slices of tomato down the center then top with lettuce. Roll up tightly and wrap the foil around the sandwich wrap. Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.  Remove from refrigerator and slice into 1 inch pieces. Keep refrigerated until time to serve.

Lemon Lush

I got this recipe from a friend years ago! I've had it several times but this was the first time I made it myself. I love lemon flavored desserts and this is a great one to share with friends!

Crust:
2 cups flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup butter (softned)

Cream Cheese Layer:
2 (8oz) blocks cream cheese (softened)
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice

Lemon Layer:
2 packages instant lemon pudding
3 cups whole milk

12oz Cool Whip

Heat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 pan.  In a mixing bowl combine the flour, pecans and butter, press down into the greased pan.  Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.  Using an electric mixture combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar and lemon juice. Spread evenly over the crust.  Whisk together the lemon pudding packets and whole milk, when it begins to thicken up pour over the cream cheese mixture. Top with cool whip and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Sloppy Joe Tacos

So yes, I have been absent, my laptop died a while ago and then we went on vacation then my husband's laptop was being all quirky.  Plus I have a very very cute 9 month old who hates to sleep...so you know, that's fun!  Anyways, I first had Sloppy Joe Tacos while on vacation at a restaurant. I really really enjoyed the one I got and wish I had gotten more than one so I decided to try and recreate it at home! I have to say they turned out pretty well and everyone in my family enjoyed them.

1 lb ground beef
1/8 cup finely diced onion
3 tsp chili powder
1 tsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp worchestershire sauce
2/3 cup tomato sauce
1 tbsp ketchup
1/4 tsp salt
8 taco size tortillas
1 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1 1/2 cup fritos
sour cream

Brown the ground beef with onions.  Drain the grease off of the meat and stir in the chili powder, brown sugar, garlic powder and salt.  Let cook for 2 minute over medium low heat. Stir in the worchestershire sauce, tomato sauce and ketchup.  Let cook for 5 to 10 minutes.  Place the meat in the tortillas and top with cheese, fritos and sour cream.