A few recipes and randoms!

Mar 18, 2012

A few recipes and randoms!

I made a few things this weekend for the party and thought I'd share the recipes!

Baked Potato Casserole

Ingredients:

- 8 medium baking potatoes

- 1 (8oz) package of cream cheese

- 1/2 stick butter

- 1 (8oz) can of sour cream

- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

- 2 garlic cloves, minced

- salt and pepper to taste

- 1/4 cup chopped chives

- 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp, drained and crumbled

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Pierce potatoes and place in oven. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until very soft

Peel and mash potatoes in large bowl with potato mashed or back of fork. Add cream cheese, butter, sour cream and 1 cup of cheddar. Stir well. Add garlic, salt and pepper, and stir again.

Spray baking dish with non stick cooking spray. Place potato mixture in dish, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate casserole until ready to bake.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350F, remove plastic wrap and bake casserole 30 to 35 minutes until hot. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheddar over casserole and return to oven for about 5 minutes until cheese melts. Garnish with chives and crumbled bacon before serving. Makes 10 to 12 servings.

Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:

- 2 (6-oz.) packages fresh baby spinach 

• - 1 tablespoon butter 
• - 1 (8-oz.) package 1/3-less-fat cream cheese 
• - 1 garlic clove, chopped 
• - 1 (14-oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• - 1/2 cup light sour cream 
• - 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
• - Fresh pita wedges or baked pita chips
• 
  
• Preparation
• 1. Microwave spinach in a large, microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 3 minutes or until wilted. Drain spinach well, pressing between paper towels. Chop spinach.
• 2. Melt butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add cream cheese and garlic; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until cream cheese melts. Fold in spinach, artichokes, sour cream, and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese; stir until cheese melts.
• 3. Transfer mixture to a 1-qt. shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese.
• 4. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve immediately with fresh pita wedges or baked pita chips.
• 

This afternoon, we went over to the track by the middle school around our house to let Jeremy do a little jogging for his knee, and took the pups with us. The track is fenced in and so we can let the dogs run, and run! 

When we got home...they literally crashed.

1. Hope everyone has a great week!