Hearts of Romaine with Hazelnuts and Blue Cheese

An easy and delightful starter salad ♥

Hearts of Romaine with Hazelnuts and Blue Cheese

1/2 of a (or 1 small) heart of  romaine lettuce (3 ounces)

1/4 C very thinly sliced red onion

2 T coarsely chopped hazelnuts, toasted

2 T crumbled blue cheese

1/4 C blue cheese salad dressing (homemade or purchased)

Ground black pepper

For two servings:

Halve heart of romaine lengthwise. Trim core at ends. Place 1 half on each salad plate. Top with red onion, hazelnuts, and blue cheese. Drizzle with blue cheese salad dressing.  Sprinkle with black pepper.

Touchdown Taco Dip

You don’t have to wait for a TD to celebrate!

Touchdown Taco Dip     

As posted on Facebook on February 5, 2010 and 2016

1 can (16oz) refried beans
1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened
1 C sour cream
2 T taco seasoning mix
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (1/2 C)
1/2 C pitted ripe olives, sliced
1 medium tomato, diced
3 green onions thinly sliced (green and white parts)
2 T fresh cilantro, snipped or chopped

Tortilla Chips

Optional Toppings:
Guacamole, sliced jalapeno peppers

Preheat oven to 350* Spread refried beans over bottom of a large oven-safe baking dish. In Classic Batter Bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning. Press garlic into Batter Bowl; mix well.
Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over beans. Grate cheese over the top. Bake 15-18 minutes or until hot.
Prepare toppings (sliced olives, diced tomato, thinly sliced onions, snipped cilantro). Sprinkle toppings over dip. Garnish with additional sour cream, if desired. Serve with tortilla chips.

~~ HOT PIZZA DIP ~~

The perfect appetizer while you wait for the pizza-delivery guy. 

Hot Pizza Dip...

as posted on Facebook February 5, 2010 and 2016

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese softened
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1 C mozzarella cheese shredded
3/4 C Parmesan cheese
1 C canned, jarred or homemade pizza sauce
2 T green bell pepper chopped
2 T green onions sliced

Optional toppings:
sliced black olives, chopped pepperoni or Canadian bacon

Preheat oven to 350° F. Combine cream cheese and Italian seasonings, spread onto a 8" oven-safe baking dish.

In a small bowl, combine mozzarella and Parmesan. Sprinkle 1/2 on top of the cream cheese. Spread pizza sauce over the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Top with bell pepper and green onions.

Bake for 15-18 minutes. Serve with French bread, sliced baguette, pita or bagel chips or fresh vegetable dippers.