Tuesday, December 29, 2009

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~

    Christmas Eve 003

    Close Up…Mmmmmm~

    Christmas Eve 004

    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.

    bacon wrapped chicken

    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!

    HappyNewYear

    All the best to you in 2010!

    Until next year. Take care. ~Sarah~

    13 comments:

    1. Happy New Year Sarah!
      Your recipes look delicious! I use a lot of Paula's recipes too.
      Enjoy your evening.
      Karen

      ReplyDelete
    2. I'm always looking for new appetizers and those all look so delicious!
      Happy New Year to you and your sweet family!
      Terry

      ReplyDelete
    3. These receipes sound wonderful Sarah! Thanks for sharing them. We are stay at home sort of people too so it is nice to have some snacks to celebrate. Happy New Year to you and your family! Jayne

      ReplyDelete
    4. Sarah, I didn't know until now you have a blog and I am a follower now and forever!!! I love it. I also have a blog but still learning. I hope you see my blog I only have 35 members but I am grateful for that!!!! I am going to make that recipe, the dip, my family is going to love it!

      I hope you and your whole family have a Happy New Year!!
      God Bless friend,
      Tricia
      Hillcrest Home Prims

      ReplyDelete
    5. Thanks for the recipes! Happy New Year to you and your family too. I am so blessed to have "met" you this past year. Thanks for for being YOU, such a special and caring person.

      ReplyDelete
    6. Thanks for share those recipes, they sounds delicious!Happy New Year to you and your family!

      ReplyDelete
    7. Great recipes Sarah. The hot spinach & artichoke dip sounds so yummy! Enjoy the New Year with your family. It is hard to believe we have blown thru another year already. Gee how time flies when you are having fun.
      Blessings in 2010.
      AMY

      ReplyDelete
    8. Happy New Year to you Sarah!!
      Those recipes sound yummo!!
      I had to think about that "ball dropping" comment for a moment???, because it's 12:00 when it drops here(forgot about the time zone)!!LOL!!Blessings to you!!

      ReplyDelete
    9. thanks for the great recipes. Love Paula's recipes as well, always good and containing everyday kind of ingredients. Have a wonderful time with your family bringing in the New Year. We usually celebrate the holiday with several close friends doing outdoor things first. This year it's a fun night out with the same group dining and dancing. Something totally different and promises to be fun.

      See You in 2010 - Karen

      ReplyDelete
    10. What a wonderful way to welcome 2010, Sarah! Happy New Year!

      We're big fans of Paula Deen too. Michaela got one of her kids' cookbooks for Christmas this year and we've already made the PB Oatmeal muffins. Easy and fabulous ... as always.

      Looking forward to joining you here often in the new year...

      ReplyDelete
    11. Sarah, I love your blog and reading about your furniture makeovers. I'm inspired to try some of my own. The recipes look great also.

      ReplyDelete

    Thank you so much for visiting & for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate and enjoy each & every one! ~Sarah~