Hostess Jo

Rotel Dip

1 lb of Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 can of Rotel tomatoes and green chilis, undrained
1 lb of sausage, cooked in skillet

Cook sausage then combine with cheese and tomatoes into a covered pot on the stove or a slow cooker. Cook on low. Stir ocassionaly until melted. Serve with tortilla chips.

Football Helmet Jello Jigglers

These would be great for kids to do at a football party. Or you could add Vodka for the adults.
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 2 hours 10 minutes (including refrigerating)
Servings: 10, 1 JIGGLER each
2 cups boiling water (Do not add cold water.)
3 packages (4-serving size each) JELL-O Brand Gelatin, any flavor
1. STIR boiling water into dry gelatin mix in large bowl at least 3 minutes until completely dissolved. Pour into lightly sprayed football molds.
2. REFRIGERATE at least 2 hours or until firm. Gently remove jigglers by inverting mold. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

Spinach Cheese Ball

A twist on the traditional spinach dip!

1 10 oz pkg frozen spinach, thawed and drained
2 8 oz pkgs of cream cheese softened
1 4 oz can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
1 4 oz pkg dry vegetable soup mix
2 tablespoons mayo
1 cup finely shredded cheese
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

In a large bowl mix together the spinach, cream cheese, water chestnuts, vegetable soup mix, mayo and cheddar cheese until well blended. Form into a ball and roll in chopped walnuts. If too soft to form, refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to blend the flavors. Serve with favorite crackers.

***For a football party shape into a football and top with thinly sliced red bell pepper strips for the laces!

Easy Salsa

This one is from a fellow hostess-thanks Heather!

1 large can whole peeled tomatoes
1 small onion
1 jalepeno
1/2 bunch of cilantro
garlic salt

Mix together in a blender or food processor. Serve with chips.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Everyone who tries this loves it!

2 10 oz. cans of chunk chicken drained
2 8 oz. packages of cream cheese softened
1 small bottle of Ranch dressing
1/2 to 3/4 cup of pepper sauce such as Frank's Red Hot
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Mix chicken, cream cheese, Ranch dressing, about 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and hot sauce together. Spread in a 8 X 8 casserole dish. Top with the remaining shredded cheese. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees, for 15-20 minutes. Serve with Fritos and celery sticks.

Cosmo Bites

Prep Time:
15 minTotal Time:
4 hr 15 minMakes:
24 servings

1-1/2 cups boiling cranberry juice cocktail
3 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Brand Raspberry Flavor Gelatin
1/2 cup vodka or water
1/4 cup lime juice
STIR boiling juice into gelatin mix in large bowl until completely dissolved. Add vodka and lime juice; mix well.

POUR into 8-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray. Refrigerate 4 hours or until set.

CUT into 24 triangles. Store in refrigerator.

Caesar Salad

This recipe is from my dad and it is an easy, healthier version of the great Caesar Salad! The homemade croutons are what makes it. I omit the anchovies!

4 slices bread (whole wheat) cut into cubes

4 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 crushed garlic cloves

1 or 2 heads romaine, washed, chilled and dried

8 tablespoons olive oil

24 or more anchovy fillets, diced

Juice of 1 lemon, or to taste

Salt, if needed

Freshly ground black pepper

1 egg, coddled 1 minute

Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Sauté the croutons in butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil and add 3 garlic cloves to the pan.

Rub a glass or china salad bowl with the remaining garlic and add the greens. Pour over them the 8 tablespoons olive oil and toss well.

Add the croutons, anchovies and lemon juice to taste. Add freshly ground black pepper to taste, the coddled egg and a good handful of grated cheese. Toss well and add additional cheese if desired.

Serve at once.

Jo’s “Fried” Chicken

1 pound of chicken breasts
1 cup of Italian bread crumbs
1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese
Salt
Pepper
Garlic
Olive Oil

Pound chicken breasts until thin, or if you are lucky you can buy cutlets that are already the desired thickness. Mix the bread crumbs with the cheese and spices. Heat a small amount of Olive Oil in a skillet. Rinse chicken and dip into bread crumb mixture. Cook until brown on both sides. Goes great with pasta.

Ranch Potatoes

You will need:

2 pounds of red potatoes
1/4 cup of Canola oil
1 Ranch seasoning packet

Cube potatoes. Spread into a 13"x9" dish. Pour on oil and seasoning. Stir well. Cook at 450 for 30-40 minutes.

Easy Dinner Idea

Rotel Chicken-I adapted this from Salsa Chicken.

1 pound of chicken breasts
2 cans of Rotel tomatos and green chilis
1 can of Mexicorn
1 bell pepper chopped
1 pkg of taco seasoning
shredded cheese
chicken flavored rice

In a 13"x9" baking pan spread out first can of Rotel, then chicken, sprinkle half of the taco seasoning on the chicken. Then add the second can of Rotel, corn and peppers. Sprinkle second half of taco seasoning. Bake at 375 for 30-45 minutes. During baking stir veggies and spoon juice onto chicken. Serve over chicken flavored rice and top with cheese.