Raw Veggie Pizza

While the husband was off gallivanting with a couple of his basketball players at a Women and Sports seminar, I hopped in the kitchen to whip together an appetizer to bring with us to dinner tonight.

If you know me at all, you know deciding on what to bring to someone's house is almost as agonizing as deciding what to serve guests (and even my husband, for that matter) for dinner. So for the past two weeks I've been thinking about this, combing Pinterest, sorting through my piles, yes piles, of recipes, and of course consulting my mom. Finally yesterday it hit me - my girlfriend from the ol' days at Polaroid used to make the most delicious cold veggie pizza. Biscuit crust, cream cheese + sour cream + ranch, veggies - done and done.

I consulted the master and this afternoon got to work...

Raw Veggie Pizza

Raw Veggie Pizza

What You Need:

• 2 cans Pillsbury Seamless Crescent Sheets
• 1 package cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 c sour cream
• 1/2 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Dip Mix
• Raw veggies (I used shredded carrots, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, & broccoli)

How You Do It:

1. Unroll both crescent sheets onto 10x15x1 baking tray, blending the seams in the middle and pushing the dough up the edges to form a crust.
2. Bake at 375* for 17 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool at least 30 minutes.
3. Once the crust is cool, using a stand mixer, coming cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch mix. Spread evenly over crust.
4. Top with veggies. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Raw Veggie Pizza recipe adapted from Pillsbury.com & TGalv.

Jamie's Beer Dip

Happy Chanukkah everyone!

Tonight we're headed to a Chanukkah party at one of my husband's colleague's house.  And you know though the host always says you don't need to bring anything, you never listen.  The plan was always to bring a bottle of wine, but I can't stop there.  Not upon first meeting these folks!

So into the arsenal of appetizer/snacks recipes I went.  Not finding anything I was willing to debut at the party, I emailed and texted my mother for help.  She listed off a couple of good ideas before hitting the jackpot: Jamie's Beer Dip.

Now, I must give credit where credit is due.  In now way is this my recipe nor have I doctored it in any way.  It's amazing just how she made it the first time.  Jamie and I used to work together when I was in high school and every so often our store would have a pot-luck day and Jamie would make this amazing dip.  Beer, cheese, ranch... what could be wrong?!  Nothing.  And what goes better with beer than pretzels?!

Jamie's Beer Dip

Jamie's Beer Dip

What You Need:

• 2 blocks cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 packet dry ranch dip mix
• 1/2 bottle beer

How You Do It:

1. Mix cream cheese, shredded cheese, and dry ranch until well-combined (I used my standing mixer).
2. Add beer and mix.
3. Chill until ready to serve.

Oh, and did you see what my amazing husband got me for the first night of Chanukkah?!

On the first night of Chanukkah
my true love gave to me,
a Donald Driver football jersey!

Homemade Pizza Rolls

What a relaxing weekend.  It’s been two crazy long weeks and no real end in site, so we took it easy this weekend.  And as usual, Sunday = Football.  We had some friends over to watch the games all day, but nothing really out of control or that needed much to-do.  I made a vat of my infamous chili (I’ll save that for another post), but have no shame and tried one new recipe:  Homemade Pizza Rolls.

You never know what will happen when you try a new recipe, especially when you have people over, but I took the chance.  Why not, right?  Right!  These were a hit.  So easy, so hot and gooey, so delicious.  No need for those boxed ones… try these!

Homemade Pizza Rolls

Homemade Pizza Rolls

What You Need:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 bell pepper, diced fine
• 1 small onion, diced fine
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 c shredded mozzarella
• Cooking spray
• 1 package wonton wrappers (about 48 wraps)

How You Do It:

1. In a medium skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat until hot. Add in garlic, green pepper and onion. Cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in marinara and mozzarella.
2. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling into the middle of each wonton wrapper. Using a finger dipped in water, run along the edge of each wrapper and then fold wrapper in half and press down to seal. Continue until baking sheet is filled with pizza rolls (spaced about 1" apart).
3. Spray tops with cooking spray and bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until rolls are golden and crispy.
4. Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving (filling will be hot).

Homemade Pizza Rolls adapted from BackToHerRoots.com