Pumpkin season is here!  My favorite time of year!  Stay tuned all season for new recipes added to the blog!  First up is my pumpkin pie dip recipe that is great to bring to a party!

Pumpkin Cheese Ball

Ingredients

2 Packages of Cream Cheese

3 Slices of Cooked Bacon, Crumbled

1 tsp. Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 TBSP. Worcestershire Sauce

2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 Bunch of Rosemary

Crackers of Choice

Directions

1.)  Cook Bacon, I like to place on baking sheet and cook in oven for 20 minutes at 350 Degrees.  Let cool and crumble

2.)  Mix together Cream Cheese, Crumbled Bacon, Garlic Powder, Salt, Worcestershire Sauce, and half of the Cheddar Cheese

3.)  Form Cheeseball into a Pumpkin and place on serving platter.  Cover with remaining Cheddar Cheese

4.)  Place Rosemary in the top of the Pumpkin cheese ball

5.)  Refrigerate until ready to serve

6.)  Serve with crackers of choice

Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

1 15 oz. can of Pumpkin

1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 Eggs

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tsp. ground Cloves

1 tsp. ground Nutmeg

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 pre made Graham Cracker Pie Crust

Directions

1.)  Whisk all ingredients together until smooth

2.)  Pour mixture into pie crust

3.)  Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes then reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 25 minutes

Homemade Whipped Cream

Ingredients

1 cup of Whipping Cream

1 TBSP Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Directions

**Use a metal mixing bowl and metal beaters and place in freezer for 10 minutes to get cold

1.)  Once bowl and beaters are cold add Whipping Cream, Sugar, and Vanilla to bowl

2.)  Using a hand mixer beat ingredients until soft peaks form

3.)  Place in fridge until ready to serve

Pumpkin Pie Dip

Ingredients

1 Can Pumpkin

1 Box Vanilla Instant Pudding

1 Container of Cool Whip

1 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 tsp. Ground Nutmeg or Cinnamon

Directions

1.)  Mix together Pumpkin, Vanilla Pudding, Cool Whip, and Pumpkin Pie Spice with a mixer

2.)  Place in fridge for at least 1 hour to chill

3.)  Sprinkle ground Nutmeg or Cinnamon on top

4.)  Serve with Nilla Wafers, Graham Crackers, or Apple Slices

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups

Ingredients

1 8 oz. package of Cream Cheese, softened

1 15 oz. can of Pumpkin

1 package of Cheesecake Instant Pudding

1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 container of Cool Whip

3 Teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 Cup of Graham Cracker Crumbs (you can buy the pre-crushed or crush your own with food processor)

4 Tablespoons Butter, melted

2 Tablespoons Sugar

2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

Directions

1.)  Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and brown sugar together.  Place in the bottom of individual cups

2.)  Using a hand mixer beat cream cheese until creamy.  Add pumpkin, pudding, pumpkin pie spice, and sweetened condensed milk.  Beat with mixer until all ingredients are combined

3.)  Gently fold Cool Whip into pumpkin mixture with spatula.  Mix by hand until combined

4.)  Spoon pumpkin mixture into cups.  Set in refrigerator for at least an hour to set

5.)  Garnish top with additional Cool Whip and pumpkin pie spice.  Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve

Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp Recipe Courtesy of:  If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen

There is nothing better than a fresh cold salad in the summer.  One of my favorites to make is a tomato and mozzarella salad.  Here is an easy recipe that makes a great side dish for your summer dinners!

Tomato and Mozzarella Salad Recipe

Ingredients

3-5 Heirloom Tomatoes, Sliced

1 Package of Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, Sliced

1 Bunch of fresh Basil

1 TBSP. Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

2 TBSP. Balsamic Glaze

Directions

1.)  Slice Tomatoes and Mozzarella and place on serving platter

2.)  Sprinkle with Salt, Pepper, and Olive Oil

3.)  Add Basil throughout the platter and sprinkle with balsamic glaze

Watermelon Margarita Recipe

Ingredients

4 Cups of Watermelon, cubed

4 Cups of Ice

1 Cup of Tequila

1 Cup of Triple Sec

1 Lime, Juiced

Directions

1.)  Using a blender puree Watermelon and Ice.

2.)  Add in Lime Juice, Tequila, and Triple Sec.  Blend again to mix all ingredients together

3.)  Pour into a pitcher and chill until ready to serve

**You can also slice limes to add to glasses for garnishing

***Can also take lime around the edge of your glass and dip rim of glass in salt or sugar

Greek Salad Recipe

Ingredients

1 Cucumber, diced

1 Container Cherry Tomatoes

1/2 of a small Red Onion

1/4 Cup of Pine Nuts, toasted

1/2 Cup of Feta Cheese

Vinaigrette Dressing

1/2 Cup of Olive Oil

1/4 Cup of Red Wine Vinegar

1 TBSP. Oregano

1 Clove of Garlic, minced

1 tsp. Dry Mustard

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Directions

1.)  Dice Cucumber, Tomatoes and Red Onion.  Place in a medium bowl

2.)  In a toaster oven toast Pine Nuts until golden brown

3.)  Mix all vinaigrette ingredients together and whisk until combined

4.)  Add Pine Nuts, Feta Cheese, and Vinaigrette to veggies and mix until combined

Tortellini Soup Recipe 

Ingredients

1 Onion

1 20 oz. Can of Diced Tomatoes

1 Bag of Fresh Spinach

1 Bag of Frozen Tortellini

4-6 Cups of Chicken Broth (depending on how much soup you want to make)

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 TBSP. Oregano

1 Cup of Parmesan Cheese

Directions

1.)  Dice onion and place in stock pot over medium heat.  Drizzle with olive oil

2.)  Once onions are translucent add in diced tomatoes and let simmer for 2-3 minutes

3.)  Now add in your broth and bring to a simmer.  Once soup is simmering add in your tortellini and continue to simmer

4.)  Chop spinach and add to soup

5.)  Add salt, pepper, and oregano.  Simmer for another 10 minutes

6.)  Serve with fresh grated parmesan cheese and hearty bread

Easter will be here very soon and I like to start planning out my recipes and putting together my menu.  I like to have fun and festive food that is easy to make ahead.  Here are two easy appetizer and snack recipes that will be a hit with adults and kids!  I always like to have a signature drink for each party.  Here is a really easy champagne punch recipe that you can throw together last minute.

Carrot Cheese Ball

Ingredients

2 Packages of Cream Cheese

3 Slices of Cooked Bacon, Crumbled

1 tsp. Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 TBSP. Worcestershire Sauce

2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 Bunch of Parsley

Crackers of Choice

Directions

1.)  Cook Bacon, I like to place on baking sheet and cook in oven for 20 minutes at 350 Degrees.  Let cool and crumble

2.)  Mix together Cream Cheese, Crumbled Bacon, Garlic Powder, Salt, Worcestershire Sauce, and half of the Cheddar Cheese

3.)  Form Cheeseball into Carrot and place on serving platter.  Cover with remaining Cheddar Cheese

4.)  Place Parsley in the top of the carrot cheese ball

5.)  Refrigerate until ready to serve

6.)  Serve with crackers of choice

Bunny Trail Mix

This fun and festive trail mix is perfect for Easter!  Plus it is a super easy snack for kids to help make!  You can also add anything you want to create your own signature mix!

Ingredients

1 cup Annie’s Bunny Grahams

1 cup Pretzels

1 cup Mini Marshmallows

1 cup M&M’s

1 cup  White Chocolate Chips

Directions

*Mix all ingredients together and enjoy!

*You can adjust the amount if you are making this snack for a large party!

Champagne Punch

Ingredients

1 Can of Frozen Pink Lemonade

1  2 Liter Bottle of Sprite Zero

1-2 Bottles of Champagne (I used 2 Bottles of Prosecco)

1 Bag of Frozen Strawberries (they add flavor and act as ice)

Directions

1.)  Mix all ingredients in a beverage dispenser or pitcher

2.)  Add frozen strawberries for ice

Ingredients

1 Box Lucky Charms Cereal

1 Bag of Marshmallows

3 TBSP. Butter

Directions

1 Cup White Chocolate Chips (Optional)

1.)  Melt butter and marshmallows on stove top then pour over Lucky Charms and white chocolate chips

2.)  Press into a 9×13 pan and let cool

3.)  Cut into squares

New Years Day is usually a lazy day at home full of yummy food to close out the holiday season.  Here are some easy breakfast casseroles to the day before and pop in the oven in the morning!

Overnight French Toast

This Overnight French Toast from the Magnolia Table Cookbook is a family favorite!

Breakfast Sausage Casserole

Ingredients

Loaf of Hearty Bread (I used Italian)

1 lb. of Ground Sweet Italian Sausage

1 Onion, diced

1 Package of Mushrooms, diced

2 Cups of Shredded Cheddar Cheese

10 Eggs, beaten

4 Cups of Milk

1 tsp. Dry Mustard

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Ground Black Pepper

1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder

1-2 Sprigs of Rosemary, Chopped

Directions

1.)  Brown Ground Sausage and diced Onions and Mushrooms over medium heat

2.)  Spray baking dish with Pam and layer with cubed Italian Bread

3.) Mix Eggs, Milk, Salt, Pepper, Dry Mustard, Garlic Powder, and Rosemary

4.)  Add Cheddar Cheese and Ground Sausage, Onion, and Mushrooms to Egg Mixture

5.)  Mix all together and pour over bread

6.)  Let chill overnight in fridge

7.)  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes or until bubbling on top

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups

Ingredients

1 8 oz. package of Cream Cheese, softened

1 15 oz. can of Pumpkin

1 package of Cheesecake Instant Pudding

1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 container of Cool Whip

3 Teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 Cup of Graham Cracker Crumbs (you can buy the pre-crushed or crush your own with food processor)

4 Tablespoons Butter, melted

2 Tablespoons Sugar

2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

Directions

1.)  Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and brown sugar together.  Place in the bottom of individual cups

2.)  Using a hand mixer beat cream cheese until creamy.  Add pumpkin, pudding, pumpkin pie spice, and sweetened condensed milk.  Beat with mixer until all ingredients are combined

3.)  Gently fold Cool Whip into pumpkin mixture with spatula.  Mix by hand until combined

4.)  Spoon pumpkin mixture into cups.  Set in refrigerator for at least an hour to set

5.)  Garnish top with additional Cool Whip and pumpkin pie spice.  Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve