Pumpkin Dip

 After lots of "pumpkin" baking, do you ever have a little pumpkin left over?  DON'T THROW IT OUT!!!  Here is a great dip to have on hand for unexpected guests or last minute parties during these crisp, fall days.  Enjoy!








1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 T.  cane syrup, maple syrup, honey, or vanilla flavoring (your choice!)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well combined. Add syrup and cinnamon, and beat until smooth. Cover and chill 30 minutes before serving.

• Serve the dip with peeled apple slices, banana slices, cinnamon & sugar graham crackers, ginger snaps, or cinnamon & sugar pita chips.

Tip:  When you open a can of pumpkin to make Pumpkin Bread, you'll have ~1/4 cup of pumpkin left over.  Simply cut this recipe in half and you'll have a delicious pumpkin spread to serve with your pumpkin bread!  

Corn & Black Bean Salsa

I've been mixing salsa this way for several years now.  It is an easy way to make your salsa go further, cut the heat, and get in your veggies! 

Corn & Black Bean Salsa
1 jar of salsa (your choice)
1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can whole kernel corn (drained)

Mix these three ingredients together and POW... you have a new, exciting salsa!

Chili Cheese Dip

It's Super Bowl time, and that means finger foods and friends to share them with.  Here is a quick, fairly cheap dip to share with your friends.  Enjoy!

1 pkg. cream cheese (cheaper brands are okay with this dip)
1 can Hormel chili (with or without beans)
1 pkg. shredded cheese
1 pkg. chips to dip (I like the Ritz chips in the bag)

 

Put 1 package of cream cheese in 8x8 or pie dish.  Spread evenly over the bottom using a butter knife.  Pour 1 can of Hormel chili on top of cream cheese, then 1 package of shredded cheese on top of chili. Put in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Applesauce

If you're like us this time of year, there are apples to be eaten!  Before they waste away, why not make some homemade applesauce?  Here is a quick and easy recipe for a delicious fall treat.

Applesauce

4 apples
3/4 c. water
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. lemon juice

Peel, core, and chop apples into bite size pieces.  In a medium saucepan, stir apples, water, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice together.  Cover and cook on medium heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft.  Cool.  Mash with a potato masher, fork, or electric mixer until desired texture is reached.  Refrigerate after mashing.  Enjoy!

Ranch Cheese Ball

Since football season is in full swing, I thought I'd post a couple of finger food recipes that are great to serve if you're having friends over to watch a game. 

Ranch Cheese Ball

1 (16-oz.) cream cheese
1 c. grated Cheddar, Co-Jack, or Colby Cheese
1 envelope dry Ranch dressing mix
real bacon bits

Mix softened cream cheese, dressing mix, and cheese together and form into a ball.  Roll in bacon bits.  Chill and serve with Ritz crackers.