1. French Onion Chip Dip
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Makes: 2 cups of dip
What You Will Need: Lipton Onion Recipe Secrets (found in the soup aisle,) 1 container (16 oz) sour cream, a bowl, and a utensil to mix with.
Directions: Mix in one envelope of the Lipton Onion Recipe Secrets with the sour cream. Just Add your favorite chips and you’re done!
Fun Fact: The pack of Recipe Secrets has 2 envelopes, leaving you with one extra to try new recipes with!
2. Dogs in a Blanket
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Makes: 8 sandwiches
What You Will Need: 8 hotdogs, 1 can (8oz.) of Pillsbury Grands refrigerated dinner rolls, 4 slices (3/4 oz each) American cheese, each cut into 6 strips; (this can be made with or without cheese), an oven, and a cookie sheet.
Directions: Heat oven to 375°F. Slit hot dogs to within 1/2 inch of ends; insert 3 strips of cheese into each slit. Then separate dough into triangles. Wrap dough triangle around each hot dog. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, cheese side up. Bake at 375°F. for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Fun Fact: If you are a stickler for the smaller pigs in a blanket just substitute cocktail franks for the hotdogs and cut everything else down to size.
3. Potato Skins
Fom this:
To this!
Photo Cred. Goes to my mother, Nancy and http://notecook.com/side-dishes/cheesy-potato-skin-recipe-2/)
Prep Time: 1.5 hours
Makes: 16 Potato Skins (can be more or less depending on your resources)
What You Will Need: 8 potatoes, olive oil (vegetable oil will work too but olive oil is the healthier option), McCormack grill mates Montreal steak seasoning, bacon bits (in a jar or home-made), shredded cheddar cheese, cooking spray or parchment paper, a cooking sheet, a bowl, utensils, and a food brush (a paper towel will do!)
Directions: Heat oven to 350°F. Wash potatoes, use a fork to pierce some holes into the potatoes, and cook them (whole) for 1 hour. Once the potatoes have cooled, cut them in half length-wise. Spoon out some potato (not a whole lot but enough to leave a little well for the rest of the ingredients). In a bowl, mix olive oil and McCormack grill mates (you can eye-ball it.) Use brush (or paper towel) to apply the olive oil/seasoning generously to the inside of the halved potatoes. Sprinkle bacon bits and shredded cheddar cheese on top of the potatoes. Spray cookie sheet or line it with parchment paper and place potatoes on top. Bake for about 15 minutes at 375°F. Once the cheese has melted to your liking remove the skins and serve with sour cream on the side.
Fun Fact: You can do all of the potato prep work and save the 15 minute final bake for right before your party. Want more servings out of the same amount of potatoes? Just cut the skins width wise to double the number of servings.
[pagebreak]
4. Cocktail BBQ Meatballs
(Sounds silly, but don’t knock it ’till you try it!)
(These are some I made personally!)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Makes: about 30 meatballs (depending on the size of the bag and how much of the bag you use).
What You Will Need: 1 bag of frozen Italian meatballs, 1 bottle of KC Masterpiece barbeque sauce (or your favorite brand,) a microwave safe plate or bowl, a plate, a small container, toothpicks, and utensils.
Directions: Cook meatballs using a microwave safe bowl for about 5 minutes (follow microwave instructions on the bag). Once cooked pour BBQ sauce over the meatballs and fully cover them in the sauce using a fork or a spoon. Use tooth picks to spear the meatballs and place them on a plate with the toothpicks still attached. Place the small container near the BBQ meatball plate for people to discard their toothpicks and you are done!
Fun Fact: This dish is so easy to make and really easy to bring with you too.
5. Veggie Plate
Prep Time: 10-20 minutes
What You Will Need: A cutting board, a knife, vegetable dip, some of your favorite vegetables (the vegetables
shown above include celery, carrots, green peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, baby carrots, and cherry tomatoes).
Directions: Cut the vegetables and assemble them on a dish as you see fit.
Fun Fact: Veggies are super easy and healthy!
6. Fruit Kabobs
Prep Time: About 20 minutes
Makes: As many as you would like!
What You Will Need: A dish, skewers, a cutting board, utensils, and your favorite fruits (shown above are purple grapes, blueberries, kiwis, pineapple, orange, and raspberries). I personally like to use strawberries, pineapples, green grapes, and maraschino cherries.
Directions: Wash all fruit, cut fruits down to bite size, and use skewers to pierce the fruits.
Fun Fact: If you are an overachiever you can apply the fruits in a pattern as shown above. This dish is also a great summer option!
7. Nachos
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Makes: 1 appetizer
What You Will Need: A microwave safe plate, tortilla chips, salsa (which can be interchanged with BBQ sauce), cheddar cheese (or store -bought nacho cheese), sour cream, tomatoes, green peppers, jalapenos, and chicken (optional).
Directions: Pour desired amount of tortilla chips onto the microwave safe plate. Apply toppings of your choice, and microwave in 15 second intervals as microwaves vary by intensity (and you probably don’t want burnt cheese).
Fun Fact: This is easy to prepare but also a frequent hit with any sports fan!
Short On Time??
Grocery stores often carry ready-made options like chicken wings, pre-cut fruits and veggies, and chip dips. And don’t forget to check the frozen appetizers for more food ideas!
**If you have any questions about the above recipes or want to share one of your favorites please comment below.
Happy cooking, happy eating, and GO PATS!
Sources:
http://www.makinglifebetter.com/Recipe/General/LIPTON-ONION-DIP-1-4113.aspx
http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/crescent-dogs/b19c6c07-bad8-45b5-8a4e-e604f30baa98/#
http://notecook.com/side-dishes/cheesy-potato-skin-recipe-2/
http://oratrip.com/Thong-tin-am-thuc-4/Cuisine-802-2/Vegetarian-summer-fare.htm
uick-dish.tablespoon.com
http://www.dailybreadcafe.ca/?wpsc-product=house-made-nachos