Happy New Year!~Sharing Some Festive Recipes!

It is just about time to say goodbye to 2009. I can’t believe it. Where did the year go? Blogging has given me many gifts. I have made so many new friends. Learned so many new things and most importantly had fun along the way!

Our New Years Eve plans are nearly the same every year. A night in with the family. Watching the ball drop in Time’s Square. All of us enjoying a toast with Sparkling Cider. And then usually sending the two little boys to bed after the ball drops! Hey…..They think it is midnight, so we play along!  :)

I thought I would share a few of our favorite festive recipes! Maybe you might want to try one or all of these yummy appetizers to ring in your New Year!

Sausage Stars~

Ingredients

• 1 lb cooked pork sausage (2 cups cooked)
• 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 1/2 cups Monterey jack cheese
• 1 cup hidden valley original ranch salad dressing
• 1 (2 1/4 ounce) can sliced black olives
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
• 1 (60 count) package wonton wrappers
• vegetable oil

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Combine drained cooked sausage meat with the cheeses, salad dressing, olives and red pepper. Lightly oil muffin tins and press a wrap in each tin so there are 4 corners sticking out. Brush with oil bake 5 minutes until golden, remove wraps from pan, place on a baking sheet Fill wraps with the sausage, cheese mixture bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly& brown.

We had Sausage Stars for Christmas Eve~

Close Up…Mmmmmm~

Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps~

Courtesy of  Paula Deen

• 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless, chicken breasts (about 4 breasts)
• 1 (1-pound) package sliced bacon
• 2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons chili powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Cut each bacon slice into thirds. Wrap each chicken cube with bacon and secure with a wooden pick. Stir together brown sugar and chili powder. Dredge wrapped chicken in mixture. Coat a rack and broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken wrap on rack in broiler pan. Bake 350 for 30 to 35 minutes or until bacon is crisp.

Makes 12-15 appetizers.

Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip~

Also courtesy of Paula Deen

• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
• 2 (13 3/4-ounce) cans artichoke hearts
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 cup grated pepper jack cheese

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a casserole dish with nonstick spray.

Heat the spinach in a microwave oven on high for 5 minutes and squeeze dry. Drain the artichoke hearts and coarsely chop in a food processor.

Combine all the ingredients except the jack cheese in a large bowl. Stir well. Scrape into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the jack cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes. Transfer to a chafing dish and keep warm over a low flame. Serve with bagel chips.

Makes about 4 cups of dip.

You will notice two of my three recipes were from Ms. Paula Deen! If you want appetizers SHE has the BEST ones! These are all holiday staples in our house! I hope you enjoy them too!

Be watching ….my Blogoversary is in 5 days! I think a Giveaway is in order! So stay tuned!

I want to take this time to wish you all a VERY Happy New Year!! Whatever you do, where ever you are. Be safe, be happy, be healthy and be with the ones you love!

All the best to you in 2010!

Until next year. Take care. ~Sarah~