But this time of year, I'm thinking of summer, picnics, pool treats, BBqs, cook-outs, roasts, etc.....whatever it is--I"m thinking of get togethers and food! :) This weekend, with it being Memorial Day, we are camping. I'm also celebrating my son's 7th birthday (We won't be out of state for his birthday in June.
When I have birthday parties for family....I found out that I like to "entertain." I like making appetizers, and party foods. Since we are camping, I'm limited to what I can make, but I'm still putting somethings together. That brings us to What's Cooking Wednesday!! Hopefully you will find a simple recipe for the upcoming holiday weekend.
First up, I LOVE fresh fruits and dip. I've had several dips, but this is my favorite fruit dip. I made it YEARS ago when I was in 4-H. (I won with it YAY!) For those of you that follow me on FB, you've already seen this picture. For those of you that haven't, ignore my fancy china! :)
Fruit Dip
1 box of instant pudding mix (I like french vanilla or cheesecake)
1 (8 oz.) container of cool whip, thawed (frozen whipped topping)
1 c. sour cream
1 c. milk
Mix milk and pudding mix together. Add sour cream. Stir well. Fold in whipped topping Store in refrigerator. Serve with fresh fruit.
*Fruits I like with this (They are all easy to dip) :
Strawberries, apples, bananas, grapes, pears
Cucumber Sandwiches!!
These are a perfect treat. I LOVE Them, but don't fix them often because I don't want it to get "old". I can only handle so many of them, and get togethers are a perfect time!
1 (8 oz.) block cream cheese
1 pkg. Italian Dressing Mix
Cucumbers, thinly sliced
Bread--I like Rye, or sweet bread in from our grocery store
(I like using something that is small to cut into slices so that I don't have a lot of bread taking over the taste.)
Dill Weed
Melt cream cheese just a bit to make it easy to stir. Stir in the dressing mix. Spread onto the bread slices. Top with a cucumber and sprinkle dill weed on top.
Ever heard of Gorp?
This was one of my favorite things as a kid when we'd go camping. It's so simple-and cheaper than buying a trail mix. I took it camping with us Mother's Day Weekend, and it was a hit. I was surprised that others hadn't heard it or made it before (but this was also the first time I made it for my family.) I don't have a picture of it---BUT
I did a google search, and here's one similar.
What I put in mine:
*Lucky Charms (it's what mom used to use when we were little--and I think it was my brother's favorite cereal way back when)
*Honey Dry Roasted Peanuts
*Raisins
*Reese Pieces
*M & Ms
Pour in the cereal first, then add the other ingredients. That simple. I actually had my kids do it last week before we left. We didn't measure, we just poured in....of course you probably want more cereal than Reese Pieces (okay maybe not WANT more, but should have more!) :)
And what's a post without a sweet treat?
I didn't have a picture of this "cheeseball" so the source of the picture is HERE.
This is a peanut butter cheeseball. I've made it for birthday parties before and LOVE it.
You need:
1 (8 oz) block cream cheese
1 to 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
3/4 to 1 c. peanut butter
3 T.brown sugar
1 to 1 1/2 c. peanut butter chips
1 to 1 1/2 c. milk chocolate chips
Mix the first 4 ingredients together. Place the mixture into the center of a sheet of Saran Wrap. Form into a ball shape, and twist the corners together as you wrap it. Place it in the freezer for about an hour and fifteen minutes. Mix together your peanut butter chips and milk chocolate chips. Unwrap the ball and roll it into the chips, and using your hands to help cover the peanut butter "cheeseball." Serve with graham crackers, or apples.
Both are good with it.