Ripe Olive Crostini

This is a delicious & easy appetizer for upcoming holiday events.
Everywhere we have taken it people rave about it & want the recipe.


1C Hellman's Light Mayo
1C fresh shredded Parmesan cheese
1 4.5 oz can of chopped black olives
1/2C sliced green onion
1/4 to 1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper (depending on how spicy you like it) We usually do 1/2 tsp
1/2 tsp black pepper


Mix & refrigerate until ready to serve.
Cut baguette 1/4" slices at a slight angle
Spread mixture on top, place on cookie sheet & bake at 400 for 7-10 minutes on until cheese is melted.

ENJOY!

Lemon Veggies

borrowed from Dorothy :)

1/2 lb bacon, cooked & crumbled, save 1/4 c drippings
1 C chopped onion
1/2 C lemon juice
1/2 C water
4 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp thyme
2 lb mini carrots
1 medium head cauliflower - chopped
1 medium head broccoli - chopped

Cook onion in bacon drippings.
Add bacon, lemon juice, water & seasoning - bring to boil.
Meanwhile, put veggies in 4-6 C water & bring to boil.
Boil veggies 10-15 minutes, drain.
Pour sauce on to veggies & serve.

This weekend we had a Holiday Party where we doubled this recipe & brought this as a dish to pass. Here is the slight variations:
Double all ingredients except veggies.
In their place, we added 3-4 large diced potatoes.
Instead of boiling veggies, we put potatoes, carrots & all other ingredients in slow cooker around 8am & stirred throughout the morning.
At noon we added the broccoli & cauliflower & continued to stir.
Ready to serve at 6pm.

Enjoy!

Appetizer & Holiday Treat

HOT ARTICHOKE SPINACH DIP

1 10oz box frozen spinach - thawed, drained & chopped
1 14oz can artichoke hearts - drained & roughly chopped
1 C shredded parmesean cheese
1/2 C mozzarella cheese
10 oz Alfredo sauce (I suggest using a "better" brand of alfredo sauce)
1 t minced garlic
4 oz soft cream cheese

Pre-heat over to 350.
Combine ingredients in bowl & spread into 8x8 baking dish.
Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese in bubbling.
Served with bread of chips.

>>>Can also be made in a crock pot - please allow 2 hours to heat thru.

PRETZEL TURTLES

1 bag mini pretzels knots
1 16 oz bag of pecan halves
3 bags chocolate covered caramels (I use Rolos)

Preheat oven to 300.
Arrange pretzels in a single layer on cookie sheet.
Place on piece of candy on each pretzel.
Bake for 4 minutes.
While candy is still warm, press a pecan half onto each piece of candy.
Let cool, store in an airtight container.