Bacon Wrapped Smokies

These are probably one of the least healthy foods imagainable--which also means they are delicious. I used this recipe for a last-minute New Year's Eve appetizer and everyone loved them!

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

1 lb bacon

14 oz beef cocktail weiners

3/4 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 325. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Cut bacon into thirds (lengthwise). Wrap each cocktail weiner with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place onto baking sheet.

Sprinkle brown sugar generously over the bacon wrapped smokies. Bake for 40 minutes.

Serve immediately.

Pico de gallo

Today I decided to try out a new vegetable chopper that I received for Christmas. This was a great way to test it out. I'm very pleased with both the chopper (thanks Steph!) and the yummy pico de gallo. My rating: 5 out of 5.

Pico de gallo

1 3/4 cups finely diced onions
1 3/4 cups finely diced Roma tomatoes
1 cup chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper
2 limes
1 1/2 tsp salt

Combine the diced onions, tomatoes, and cilantro.

Cut open the jalapeno and (if you like it mild) remove all the seeds and anything white. Then dice it finely and add to the bowl.

Squeeze the juice of both limes into the bowl.

Add salt.

Stir together and enjoy!

This doesn't keep long, so prepare it within a few hours of when you would like to eat. Pico de gallo a great topper for tacos, chicken, chips, and pretty much anything else.

Ranch Cheese Ball

If you haven't noticed yet, I'm a big fan of Ranch dressing--in all forms. Here's a quick cheese ball that uses it once again. My rating: 4 out of 5.

Ranch Cheese Ball

1 8oz pkg cream cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheese
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2-1 pkg dry Ranch dressing (not dip) mix
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Allow cream cheese to come to room temperature. Add sharp cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and Ranch. Mix well to combine.

Use your hands to roll the mixture into a ball.

Put the chopped nuts in a small bowl. Roll the cheeseball in the nuts.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Sausage & Stars Appetizers

If you're looking for an elegant or gourmet appetizer, this isn't the one for you. It is quick, easy, and kid-friendly though! My rating: 4 out of 5.

Sausage & Stars Appetizers

1 lb italian sausage
1 sheet frozen puff pastry
1 egg

1/4 cup apricot jam
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
2 Tbsp dijon mustard

Remove puff pastry from freezer and place it on your countertop so it can thaw.

Remove casing from sausage. Divide sausage into approximately 25 round balls. Flatten balls slightly. Cook on the stove for 2-3 minutes per side. You don't want to cook it all the way through--just get the outside browned.

Break egg into a small bowl and beat with a fork. Brush beaten egg over the top of the puff pastry. Use a small cookie cutter and cut out 25 stars (or a shape of your choosing) from the puff pastry.

Put sausage balls on a cookie sheet. Top each one with a puff pastry star. Put a toothpick through the middle of each one.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes.

Whisk together jam, mayonnaise, and dijon mustard to use as the dipping sauce.