I'm cooking inside

As soon as we finished putting up the tree, Thatboy turned to me and said, "So when are we having people over to see it?" Have I mentioned that Christmas revolves around a tree for my husband?

So I told him we'd start inviting people over. After all, it's not the holidays without friends is it? Which reminded me that other people are probably planning their holiday parties and potlucks right now. So I thought I'd post some great appetizer ideas. Tis the season. And while Christmas revolves around a tree for Thatboy, for me it's all about the company!

Breakfast in Blankets
These are perfect for holiday brunches, breakfasts or when you're heading over somewhere Christmas morning.

• 2 sheets puff pastry
• 8 chicken breakfast sausages
  

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cook sausages in a pan until done.
2. Roll out sheets of puff pastry and cut along diagonal so that each sheet yields 4 triangles.
3. Roll each sausage in the triangles.
4. Place on a cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes.
   

Dill Dip

• 1 cup Nonfat yogurt
• 8 oz sour cream
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1 1/2 tsps dill weed
• 1 1/2 tsps seasoned salt

1. Blend all ingredients together in bowl and chill.

Sausage Bites

• 1/4 onion, chopped
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup tomato soup
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp white wine vinegar
• 1/4 tsp mustard
• 2 polish sausages, cut into slices

1. Cook onions in butter in pan over medium heat until onions are transparent.
2. Add all ingredients but sausages. Stir well.
3. Add sausages and heat on low heat 2 minutes or until sausages are heated through.

Fruit Dip

• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 8 oz sour cream
• Sliced pears, apples, strawberries, raspberries

1. Blend together sugar and sour cream.

Spiced Peanuts

• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cups peanuts
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic salt

1. Melt butter on skillet over high heat. Add rest of the ingredients and stir to mix.
2. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until nuts brown.
3. Drain on paper towel.

Deviled Eggs
These are one of Thatboy's favorite appetizer treats. He ate three whole eggs before he realized how many he'd eaten.

• 10 hardboiled eggs
• 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp mustard
• dash of celery salt
• dash of garlic salt
• dash of pepper

1. Cut eggs in half lengthwise.
2. Scoop out yolks and put in small bowl.
3. Add mayo, mustard, celery salt, garlic salt, and pepper to yolks and mash together.
4. Spoon mixture into egg-white halves. Sprinkle tops with paprika and serve.

Fruit Sundaes
No real recipes here, but provide fruit halves (pears, peaches, oranges, persimmons, pomegranates....) your favorite ice cream and toppings and create a sundae bar. Or you can have each guest bring their own favorite ice cream and topping!


Cocoa with a Kick

• 2 cups milk
• 6 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 cups brewed coffee

1. Heat milk on stovetop until scalding.
2. Add cocoa powder and sugar. Stir well.
3. Add coffee.

Holiday Punch

• 2 cans frozen oj, thawed
• 1 can frozen lemonade, thawed
• 1 1/2 quarts ice water
• 2 quarts champagne

1. Combine oj, lemonade, and ice water in punch bowl.
2. When guests arrive, pour champagne into punch bowl.

Not quite Wassail

• 2 Liters Rose wine
• 1 Quart apple juice
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Quart ginger ale

Mix together all ingredients and stir to dissolve sugar.
Add ice to your punch bowl or serve in glasses over ice!

Coffee with a Kick

• 1/2 cup coffee (ground)
• 10 whole cloves
• 2 sticks cinnamon
• 4 spoonfuls of sugar

1. Combine coffee, cloves, cinnamon, and sugar in basket of coffee maker.
2. Fill coffee maker with water for 8 cups. Brew as usual.