Layered Bean Dip

I LOVE THIS DIP!!! It's perfect for Superbowl parties too...the fellas always enjoy it! It's super easy to make and delicious!

Ingredients:

1 large can of refried beans
2 blocks (8oz) of cream cheese (softened)
1 large jar of chunky salsa
2 containers of guacamole
1 bunch of cilantro
2 1/2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
2 small cans of olives (sliced)
1 bunch green onions (minced)
1 large bag of tortilla chips

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Directions:

Warm refried beans until bubbly (this allows for easier spreading along the bottom of the pan). Spread beans evenly on the bottom of a large glass pan (preferably 9 x 13). Spread cream cheese on top of the beans. This might be tricky because cream cheese won't cooperate unless it's softened...so make sure you don't skip this part. Add guacamole and then pour salsa over the entire thing and then top with chopped cilantro. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top and garnish with olives and green onions.

Chill in the refrigerator for about an hour before serving.

Enjoy!!

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Fried Mozzarella

I don't know a single child that doesn't love fried mozzarella sticks! This is an easy recipe you can make at home! These also make great appetizers for a small dinner party too!

Ingredients:

2 packages of string (mozzarella) cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups Italian bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
2/3 cup flour
1/3 cup corn starch

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Directions:

Cut each section of string chees in half. Beat the eggs with water and set aside. Mix the bread crumbs, garlic, oregano, and basil and set aside. Blend the flour with
corn starch and set aside. Heat vegetable oil for deep frying to 350F. Dip cheese in flour then in egg wash and then coat with bread crumbs. Place carefully in hot oil and fry until golden brown. This should only take a matter of seconds, so you need to watch them closely.

Drain on brown paper bags and serve with your favorite pasta sauce that has been warmed or chilled ranch dressing.

Enjoy!!

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Easy Onion Rings

I absolutely LOVE onion rings, but hate raw onions...go figure!! But I found a recipe that easy to do and tastes yummy - especially with ranch dressing on the side!! YUM!!

Ingredients:

1 cup McCormick Golden Dipt Tempura batter mix
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup beer
1 extra large white onion, sliced 3/8" thick
6 cups vegetable oil in your deep fryer

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Directions:

Preheat the deep fryer to 375F. Combine the tempura mix with the spices and liquid to make a batter using a fork. There will be some small lumps; don't worry about those. Slice the onion, and separate all of the rings. Dip the individual rings in the batter, and drop into the preheated oil. Deep fry 3−5 minutes until golden brown. Remove to a paper towel lined plate, salt lightly, and serve hot.

For variation, try sweet potatoes! I know it sounds weird, but it really IS good!

Enjoy!!

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Homemade Granola

This is a SUPER easy recipe! If you've got kids, it's something you can make together...or simply supervise and let them do all the work! It's great for a snack...and even better as a hot or cold cereal! Feel free to add more to it...I kept it simple because I wasn't sure how it would turn out the first time. I liked it so much that I ended up making another batch 5 days later (because I ate it all)!

Ingredients:

7 cups of whole grain oats (not the instant kind)
3/4 cups of sliced almonds
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 cup of oil (olive or vegetable)
1/2 cup of honey
1/2 cup of packed brown sugar
3/4 cups of raisins
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cups of sweetened coconut (found in the baking section near the chocolate chips)

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Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients (oats, almonds, coconut, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon). In a saucepan warm the oil and honey. Whisk in the vanilla. Pour over the oats and gently stir with a wooden spoon until everything is coated. Spread evenly in a cookie sheet. Bake for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes - this step is VERY important. If you don't stir, the granola may burn or stick to the pan. Cool on a wire rack. The granola mixture will harden as it cools. Let cool for about 30 minutes then use a spatula to lift and break up the granola. Pour it back into your mixing bowl and mix in the raisins and cranberries.

Store in an airtight container and consume within 7 days, otherwise it may go bad due to the oil used to prepare it. You can also freeze the granola for preservation.

Other variations include adding dried mangoes (which is what I did), banana chips, flax seed, wheat germ, sunflower seeds and other kinds of nuts. It tastes great sprinkled over vanilla yogurt (or your favorite flavor) too!

I was kinda shocked that while eating it as a cold cereal, it doesn't get soggy!!

Enjoy!

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