Tasty Appetizers And Drinks

If you're having friends over for a get-together, it's always good to have some tasty appetizers and drinks for them to snack on! My husband and I have gone to many "football parties" to watch the games, and most of the time I would come home with a new recipe a friend had come across and made for us all to try. Do you have one for me to try?! I'm always looking to try something new...especially with during football season!! These are some of OUR favorite tasty appetizers and drinks...hopefully you'll share some with me!

(I don't have pictures at the moment, but as I make these again I'll try to remember to take some pics!)

Punch

This recipe came from my sister, who picked it up at a wedding and has used it many times since at friends' showers and weddings.

2 lemons or 1/4 - 1/3 lemon juice

5 large ripe bananas, mashed with a mixer or blender

4 cups sugar

6 cups hot water

1 (46 oz) can pineapple juice

1 (12 oz) can frozen orange juice- add enough water to OJ to make 4 cups

Heat water & sugar just enough for sugar to dissolve. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well and freeze. To serve- put in punch bowl and when it begins to thaw and get mushy, add ginger ale.

** It’s best to separate into thirds to freeze. Then use a 2-liter bottle of ginger ale to each container of punch mix. This recipe makes about 2 gallons.

Bourbon Slush

I got this recipe from my friend Gina, who got it from her Aunt Stephanie. This has been a BIG hit at our parties, even for those like me who don't usually drink bourbon!

1 to 2 cups sugar

7 cups water

1 (12 oz) can orange juice, thawed

1 (6 oz) can lemonade, thawed

2 cups bourbon

2 cups brewed tea

Combine all ingredients and place in a container to freeze. Once frozen, scoop out into glasses to serve.

** Start out using 1 cup sugar and add more to taste...some like only using 1-1/2 cups of sugar. I also use 2 large teabags to brew the tea.

Sunshine Smoothies

1 (14 oz) can Eagle Brand fat free sweetened condensed milk

1 cup orange juice

2 medium bananas, cut into small chunks

1/2 cup club soda

ice cubes

Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Makes about 4 cups.

Mocha Milkshake

3/4 cup evaporated milk; undiluted & chilled

1/4 c cold water

2 Tbsp chocolate flavored syrup

1/2 tsp instant coffee grounds

1 tsp vanilla extract

Ice cubes

Combine first 5 ingredients in blender pitcher and process until foamy. Slowly add enough ice cubes to bring mixture to the 3-cup level. Process until smooth. Serve immediately. Yields 3 cups.

Broccoli Meat Casserole

Another recipe I got from my friend Gina! My husband just eats this with a fork, but I think it’s best eaten as a dip with Wheat Thins!

1 large onion

1 lb ground beef

1 lb sausage

1 pkg frozen chopped broccoli

1 lb Mexican Velveeta

Bread crumbs (optional)

Brown the beef, sausage and onion together. Drain excess fat once browned. Place back over heat and add broccoli. Cook a few minutes until broccoli is warmed. Chop cheese into small segments and add to mixture, stirring until melted. Remove from heat, pour into a casserole dish and sprinkle with bread crumbs.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Black Bean & Corn Salsa

I worked with a lady years ago who brought this dish in for a luncheon. Can’t remember her name, but I still have the piece of paper I jotted the recipe down on!

2 cans black beans, rinsed & drained

2 cans shoepeg corn, drained

½ to 1 whole purple onion, chopped small

½ of large red bell pepper, chopped small

1-2 jalepenos, chopped small (more can be used if you like it hotter)

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

8 oz red wine vinegar

Mix all ingredients and chill. This is best if you allow approximately 4-6 hours for the flavors to meld together. Serve with your favorite tortilla chip.

Bacon and Egg Spread

2 hard boiled eggs

2 Tablespoons chopped onion

6-7 slices crisp bacon

½ cup mayo or Miracle Whip

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 Tablespoons chopped green pepper (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a food processor. It’s ready to eat or can be chilled for later. It’s great as a dip with crackers.

Ham and Cheese Puffs

½ cup butter or margarine, softened

¾ cup ham, cooked and ground

½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup flour

In mixing bowl combine butter, cheese, ham and seasonings. Gradually mix in flour and shape the dough into bite-sized balls. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Serve hot.

(Dough may be made ahead of time, wrapped and either frozen or refrigerated until needed)

Spinach Dip

2 cup mayo

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened

2 cups sour cream

1 package Knorr vegetable soup mix

1 package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

Whip cream cheese, add mayo and sour cream; mix well. Stir in soup mix and spinach. Refrigerate overnight. Hollow out a round loaf of bread and pour dip inside- serve using the bread chunks you just removed from the loaf.

Sausage Balls

1 ½ cup Bisquick

½ lb hot sausage, uncooked

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

Mix all ingredients and roll into bite-sized balls. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Cheese Ball

1 Tablespoon onion, minced

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese

1 (5 oz) jar Kraft Old English cheese

1 small package pecans, chopped

Mix onions, sauce and cheeses together. Chill and roll into a ball. Roll cheese ball in the pecans. Chill until ready to use.

Olive Cheese Balls

I have to admit...I can NOT stand olives! (No need to leave recipes with olives in them- I won't eat it!) I personally do not eat these, but these have gone over very well at parties by those that DO eat olives!

1 small jar olives

1-1/4 cup flour

8 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup butter, melted

Mix the flour, cheese and butter together. Take about a teaspoon or so of batter and mold around olive; shaping into a ball. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Serve hot.