Trader Joe's Appetizers - Bruschetta and Black Bean Salsa

Hi all!! We are back in 2019 with a couple awesome recipes I made A LOT this holiday season. I found I was always needing a last minute appetizer to bring to parties. These 2 quick and easy recipes were perfect.

Bruschetta

 First slice the baguette and butter each piece

Broil the bread until brown

After bread is done let it cool and Mix the Bruschetta Mix and half of the Feta Cheese in a bowl. Then spoon over the slices of bread

 Last, drizzle the glaze over the top and serve!

 Enjoy!

Black Bean Salsa

All you need are these four ingredients. Mix and serve with tortilla chips. You will probably only use 1/2 of the dressing. Add more as desired. 

(The picture has Quinoa chips. I prefer regular Tortilla but you could use either)

Rocky Road Fudge (Auntie Gayle's Recipe)

If you like nuts, marshmallows and chocolaty goodness, this fudge is THE VERY BEST.  And I have tried many fudge recipes looking for this taste.  Thanks for sharing Auntie Gayle!

The Hershey Bars are a delicious part of this fudge.

Reaching the 7 min. mark.

You need a strong wooden spoon for stirring!

I used a 9x13 pan...almost over-flowing with fudge.  Will probably use a jelly roll pan next time.  Would still allow for pretty thick pieces. 

A very smooth, rich chocolate taste.  And nutty!  If you don't care for nuts leave them out or substitute something you do like. 

Rocky Road Fudge

5 cups sugar

1 large can evap. milk (NOT sweetened cond. milk)

1 cup butter

2-8 oz Hershey milk chocolates with almond bars

12 oz milk (or semi-sweet) choc. chips

2 tsp. vanilla

2 large marshmallow cream jars

1/2 pound walnuts (chopped)

1/2 pound pecans (chopped) optional

1 large bag marshmallows (frozen-a must)

Grease 9x13 dripper pan or 11x14 jelly roll pan.  (This makes ALOT of fudge)

Butter sides of large heavy saucepan.  Stir constantly first 3 ingredients until sugar is dissolved.  Do not scrape sides of pan.  This is where the sugar crystal form and will make your fudge taste grainy.  Stirring occasionally bring to boil for 7 min.  

Pour into bowl of choc. chips, and candy bars.  Mix until creamy and add vanilla.  Combine nuts and frozen bag of marshmallows and add to chocolate mixture.  Pour into prepared pan(s).  Let set, then cut.

Shortbread Toffee Bars

After weeks of research and testing in Santa's Bakery/Workshop,

 Cookie & Cups gave us our new favorite Christmas Cookie!

This shortbread toffee bar is so decadent and holidayish, and so easy to make.  It's layers of goodness.

Visit Cookie & Cups website for all the how-to-hints for this cookie bar.  It's well worth the time and effort.

Shortbread Toffee Cookie Bars

Ingredients

SHORTBREAD CRUST

• 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups flour

FILLING

• 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 2 Tbsp butter

TOPPING

• 2 cups milk chocolate chips (Guittard is definitely the best!)
• 1 1/2 cups Toffee Bits

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Line a 9×13 pan with foil and spray lightly with nonstick spray.

SHORTBREAD CRUST

1. Beat butter and sugar together until combined, 1-2 minutes.
2. Mix in flour. Mixture will be slightly dry. Press into prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.

FILLING

1. In a small saucepan heat sweetened condensed milk and butter together until butter is smooth. Pour over shortbread crust. Bake 12-15 minutes until filling is bubbly and browned. It will almost take on a light caramel appearance. Remove from oven

TOPPING

1. Immediately sprinkle milk chips on top of filling when it comes out of the oven. Place back in oven for 2 minutes until chips are shiny and soft.
2. Carefully spread the chips over the filling with an off-set spatula.
3. Sprinkle with toffee bits, pressing into milk chocolate.
4. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.

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Notes

You can place these in the refrigerator to help speed up the cooling process.
I allowed mine to cool at room temperature, though, over night before I sliced and served.

Almond Joy Bars

My friend Jan V. gave me this recipe.  It is so super easy, yet so good.  Very similar to the Magic Bars (easy, right) but with a little more decadent chocolate taste.  The sliced almonds on top offered a toasted, caramel flavor.  I would never have guessed that the crust was made from a cake mix.  It tasted very much like shortbread.  This was a definite crowd pleaser at our last gathering.  

Almond Joy Bars  

1 yellow cake mix

1 stick of melted butter

Slivered almonds

Shredded coconut

1 can sweetened condensed milk

Semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Grease or butter a 9x13 inch pan.  

1st layer-Mix the cake mix and butter in bowl and then press the mixture as the first layer (press with fork). 

2nd layer-chocolate chips 

3rd layer-shredded coconut. 

4th layer-slivered/sliced almonds. 

Then pour sweetened condensed milk over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees until light golden brown. Be careful not to overbake. I bake this for about 20 minutes but check the bars often so as not to over brown the bars. Enjoy!! 

Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

I tried a new recipe!  

We had breakfast for dinner (a favorite at my house) last night and I tried this recipe from Lil Luna.  I've had many a Hash Brown Casserole over the years and this one beats all of them.  I think it's the addition of the Swiss Cheese, which I love.  Almost gave it that quiche type taste and texture.  Again, which I love!

Thanks Lil Luna for sharing your yummy recipes.  I'm thinking this would make an excellent Christmas morning breakfast.

Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

An egg and potato casserole made with 3 different cheeses and is perfect for any weekend or holiday breakfast! 

Breakfast Serves: 10-12 Ingredients 

1 pound sliced bacon, diced 

4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed 

9 eggs, lightly beaten 

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese 

1½ cups cottage cheese 

1¼ cups shredded Swiss cheese 

Salt & pepper Instructions 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. 

2. Cook bacon in a skillet until browned and pour into large bowl. 

3. Stir in potatoes, eggs, cheeses and salt & pepper. Pour mixture into greased baking dish. 

4. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. 

ENJOY!

Bon Appetite Vegetable Dip

Favorite Family Vegetable Dip

Bon Appetit Dip

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup sour cream

1 Tbsp. Bon Appetit

1 Tbsp. green onion

Mix all ingredients, refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

The Bon Appetit seasoning is no longer produced, which is sad because we loved it.  Instead you can make the seasoning by using this recipe.

If you don't want the hassle of making the seasoning you can also use this product.  Tastes fairly similar.

We use this dip recipe for not only veggies but also chips, and any other snack items.

Mr. McGregor's Garden Relish Tray

My family was invited to my brother and sister-in-law's home for Easter this year.  My assignment was a relish tray. 

Because I was not hosting the dinner this year and had a little extra time, I decided to try something a little more creative than the usual cut up veggies on a tray.  My inspiration came from Glitter and Goulash  

I had just purchased this wooden tray from Jenifer's Furniture and Decor and thought it would make a great "garden bed" for Mr. McGregor's Relish Tray.  That's kind of an Easter bunny thing, right?

By the way I LOVE, LOVE Jenifer's!

I washed the head of some frilly lettuce (butter or anything kind of leafy), then set aside to dry.  Thankfully my husband chipped in to help and washed the veggies and cut them all into stick form.

Then came the time for the very easy process of "planting" our garden.  I layered saran wrap on the bottom of tray and then added leafy lettuce, being sure to "frill it out" over the edges of tray.

If you are serving a dip with the veggies, place your bowl where you want it on the tray.  Then start planting carrot sticks, cheese sticks, celery, pepper, tomatoes, cauliflower, cucumbers, broccoli and radishes. 

Bon Appetit Dip is my favorite.

Add a little plate of truffles and chocolate covered pretzel rods and this would make a lovely, edible centerpiece for a Mother's Day brunch. 

Holiday (Meeting) Brunch

Just a quick idea for a spur of the moment holiday brunch.

I sit on the board of a non profit organization, My Story Matters.  Come to think of it "sit" is a funny word to use because we don't do much sitting!

We had an end of year meeting that included a brunch and I wanted to share what our caterer prepared for us.  

A crepe bar!  

It was delicious and simple. 

MENU

Crepes

The Best Crepe Recipe

Crepe fillings 

[raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries] 

Crepe toppings 

[caramel, chocolate and raspberry sauces, spray creme]

Cubed sweet breads

Carafed OJ

Mexican egg puffs with salsa

We organized, chatted, and ate, all while gazing out the windows at beautiful mountains with a lake view.

For this busy time of year...perfect. 

Hand Dipped Chocolate Caramel Pretzels

 

Are you in need of a hostess gift for your upcoming Christmas parties?  Maybe a special gift for friends and neighbors? Caitlyn's pretzels are a definite crowd pleaser. 

I would highly recommend Delaware Dipped

These are not your average pretzels.  They are hand dipped in caramel and then an added layer of rich chocolate.

They are delightful!  

And I have to admit...I have enjoyed one or two for breakfast!

Custom orders and shipping available.

Don't delay, order today!

Mom's Meatloaf - MMMmmm Monday

We enjoy comfort food in our home! I have been making this recipe since I got married almost 25 years ago. It's one of the easiest meals and I'm pretty sure every mom has a great meatloaf recipe but my mom's is the best. This meal is served best with baked or mashed potatoes! Delicious!

Mom's Meatloaf

2 pounds Hamburger

2 eggs

1 onion, chopped

1 pkg Lipton Onion Soup Mix

2 Handfuls of Oatmeal

2/3 Tbsp. Ketchup

Mix all ingredients with hands and place in muffin tins or loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 Minutes. 

A Delicious Meal!