Pineapple Cheese Ball

Pineapple Cheese Ball

A nurse told me about this cheese ball that she makes for all special occasions. I've never heard of a Pineapple Cheese Ball so I can't wait to try this recipe out on my family and friends. It sounds delicious!

Ingredients
2- packages of cream cheese (room temperature)
1- 8 oz can crushed pineapple drained
1/4 cup- finely chopped red or green bell pepper
3 tbs- finely chopped green onion
2 cups- chopped pecans

Directions

Mix all ingredients together except 1 cup pecans. Roll into the shape of a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Just before serving, roll cheese ball in remaining pecans.

Mexican Bake

Mexican Bake

Ingredients

4-6 Tortilla Shells
1 lb ground beef
1 package Taco Seasoning Mix
1 can Red Kidney Beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1/2 block Velveeta Cheese
2 cups Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese
1 jar Salsa
1 prepared bag of Knorr Spanish Rice
Tortilla Chips
Sour Cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare Spanish Rice as directed on package. While cooking the rice, Dice block of Velveeta cheese and place in a microwavable safe bowl. Drain can of Rotel Tomatoes, reserving the juices in a cup to be used later. Add drained tomatoes to Velveeta cheese.

Brown and drain ground beef in a saute pan. Return beef to pan over medium heat, add taco seasoning mix, Rotel tomato juice, and 1/4 cup water. Mix thoroughly and reduce until most of the juices have evaporated. Add 1/4 cup Velveeta cheese, 1 tbs Rotel tomatoes, and kidney beans. Reduce heat to low and cook until cheese is incorporated and melted.

In a large casserole dish, place a single layer of tortilla shells on the bottom of the dish. Spread half of the Salsa over the tortilla shells, half the ground beef mixture, half of the rice, and 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Repeat layer of tortilla shells, using the rest of the ingredients.

Place in oven for about 20 to 25 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Microwave Velveeta cheese and Rotel tomatoes for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve Mexican Bake with Salsa and Sour Cream with Rotel dip and Tortilla Chips.

This dish is a great make ahead meal. I make the Mexican Bake in Oven Safe Tupperware and freeze it. The night before I want to serve the dish, I put it in the refrigerator to thaw.

Mern's Potato Salad

Mern's Potato Salad

This recipe is a Henderson Family favorite! It's definitely enough to feed an army and always a huge hit with the Henderson Platoon! Thanks Aunt Marilyn for your culinary contributions and for teaching me how to make some killer side dishes!

Ingredients:

5 lbs potatoes- peeled and cubed
8 boiled eggs (6 chopped and 2 for decoration)
1/2 cup Mayonnaise (add more if needed)
2 tbs Mustard (add more if needed)
1 tbs Sweet Relish (add more if needed)
1 tsp Pickle Relish (add more if needed)
1 small onion (thinly sliced)
1 stalk of celery (thinly sliced)
Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Peel and cut potatoes into bite size pieces. Place in a pot of cold water for 15 minutes. Drain water and fill pot with cool water to cover potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender. Drain potatoes and return to pot to dry out. Add mayo, mustard, sweet & pickle relish to taste. Add onion, egg, and celery. Let sit for one hour, taste and then add salt and pepper. Refrigerate. Best taste if left overnight for flavors to meld.

**As told by Marilyn Dorris on March 7, 2008.

Super Sausage Dip

Super Sausage Dip

Ingredients:

1 pound Sausage
1-8 0z package cream cheese
1 can Rotel Tomatoes (drained)

Directions:

Brown sausage and soak up all the fat with paper towels. Add cream cheese and Rotel tomatoes. Heat in microwave or oven until hot and bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips.

Spinach Cheese Ball

Spinach Cheese Ball

Ingredients:

1 package frozen chopped spinach drained

1 package Knorr Soup Mix

2 bars Cream Cheese at room temperature

1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese

2 tbs Mayonnaise

1 package slivered Almonds

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together except almonds and 1/4 cup cheddar cheese. Shape mixture into a ball and then roll in almonds and shredded cheese. Refrigerate for at least two hours.

Serve with crackers.

Thanks to my dear friend Jennifer and her mom Paula for this recipe.

Mixed Berry Cobbler with Fresh Whipped Cream

Mixed Berry Cobbler

The BEST and EASIEST Cobbler you will ever eat! Serve hot with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

Ingredients

• 2 bags of Frozen Mixed Berries**
• 2 cups Sugar
• 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1 stick of Unsalted Butter
• 1-1/2 cups Self-Rising Flour (MUST BE SELF-RISING)
• 1-1/2 cups Milk
  

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine mixed berries, 1 cup of sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and water in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Put the stick of butter in a 3 or 4-quart baking dish and place in oven to melt.

Mix remaining 1 cup sugar, flour, and milk slowly to prevent clumping. Pour mixture over melted butter. DO NOT STIR. Spoon fruit mixture on top, gently pouring in fruit syrup.

Bake for 45 minutes.

**You can replace the frozen mixed berries with three cups of fresh seasonal fruit like peaches.

Whipped Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream
• 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  

Directions:

Combine whipped cream, sugar, and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Do not over beat!

Hot & Spicy Queso Dip

Hot & Spicy Queso Dip

The perfect dip for parties, tailgates, and any get together. Your guests will not be able to get enough! This dip is also the perfect companion for Mexican meal nights.

Ingredients:

1/2 Block of Velveeta Cheese diced into smalled cubes
1- 10 ounce can Rotel Hot Diced Tomatoes drained*

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients in a microwavable bowl.

2. Microwave for two minutes. Stir and then microwave in 30 second intervals until dip is completely melted.

3. Serve hot with tortilla chips.***


*Rotel Original Diced Tomatoes will make a milder queso dip.
**Splurge on the Velveeta brand cheese. I have found that generic processed cheese does not melt as well as Velveeta. I prefer to use Velveeta 2% Cheese to save on fat and calories.
***Great Value Brand Tortilla Chips from Walmart go great with this dip and are the cheapest tortilla chips on the market at $1.75 per bag.