Some Like It Hot Dip

Thursday Night has become Snack Night at our house.  In warm weather it's Golf Night, in cool weather it's Trivia Night.  I've been using it as "Try Out New Recipes for Tailgating Night."  Mr. DD comes home from golf and needs a snack.  Then we vote on whether or not the new creation is worthy of a spot in our gameday rotation.  You'll be glad to know this dip made the cut.  It's spicy, and the addition of Italian Sausage makes it just a little bit different than your typical queso.  Give it a try for your next game night.  Or golf night.  Or snack night!

The newest addition to our Football Snack Line-Up!

Only 5 ingredients...

Brown sausage in a skillet with diced jalapeno.

In a slow cooker combine Velveeta, RoTel and salsa.

Add sausage mixture.  Cook on LOW
until cheese is melted.

Enjoy with tortilla chips!

Busy Day Casserole

I have this reputation among my friends as some pseudo Martha Stewart.  Which I am not, but I do put up a great front.  I love to cook, craft, bake and decorate.  I think everyone believes we have seven-course steak and lobster meals every night.  Quite the opposite.  Mr. Devilish and Little Devil and I are pretty much like everyone else.  That's why I'm usually embarrassed when I bump into someone I know at the grocery store.  I have this Martha-esque reputation to uphold, but then they see my grocery basket full of Velveeta Shells-n-Cheese and PopTarts.  And slightly more embarrassing:  Frozen Burritos.  Unless I have given them this recipe.  Then they know why my shopping cart is full of ready made food.  And then know something awesome is coming up on the dinner table!  This is a terrific slow cooker recipe.  It's literally 4 ingredients, but a very tasty, satisfying meal.  Try it.  And don't be embarrassed if your friends see frozen burritos in your grocery basket.

Don't laugh!  So easy and tasty!

The ingredients.  Don't be embarrassed.
You can be really versatile.  Hot, spicy, medium
You can use all enchilada sauce, all salsa or a combo
of both!

Place 5 burritos in slow cooker.  Cover
with half of enchilada sauce and salsa.

Cover with a little cheese.
If you want.  Or leave the cheese for the end.
It's up to you.
It's all good.

Repeat the layers with the next 5 burritos.

30 minutes before serving, sprinkle with
lots of cheese!!

Dish up and serve.
Enjoy the rave reviews
and resist the temptation to admit
how easy it was.

Moroccan Tomato Soup

I love tomato soup.  My husband makes fun of me because I'm completely happy with Campbell's tomato soup.  Mixed with water, not milk.  He can't stand the stuff and complains when there are 42 cans of tomato soup hogging space in the pantry.  Hey, I like it and it makes a great lunch on a cold, winter day.  I decided to win him over to the darkside of tomato soup with an updated, international version.  It has very unusual ingredients, but trust me this recipe is wonderful.  Be sure to make it exactly, don't omit the honey or cinnamon, and definitely top it with the dill and yogurt.  It may sound strange, but everything melds together into a pot of fragrant, spiced tomato soup! 

Not your average tomato soup...

The ingredients...
A simple, one pot preparation!



Saute onions in oil
Add honey and cinnamon.



Add tomatoes and chicken stock.

Add water.

Don't forget the dill.

After cooking for 30 minutes,
remove from heat and add balsamic vinegar.

Puree soup in a blender or food processor.

Garnish with a dollop of yogurt
and a sprinkle of dill.

Snickerdoodles

A while back I made a big 'ol double batch of Snickerdoodles to take to a tailgate party.  Needless to say they didn't last very long.  Of course Mr. Devilish Dish was feeling sorry for himself because he didn't get his share of Snickerdoodles at the tailgate.  So I made another batch.  Just for him.  And he said, "This is my favorite cookie."  I about died.  Why?  Because we've been together almost 20 years and I thought Peanut Butter Cookies were his favorite.   I finally mustered up the courage to ask, "I thought Peanut Butter was your favorite?"  He thought a minute, and said, "Oh yeah, they are.  Snickerdoodles are my second favorite.  WHEW!  I thought aliens had abducted my husband and replaced him with a look-a-like that liked Snickerdoodles better than Peanut Butter Cookies.  I can see why, I mean they are THAT good.  They make a pretty cookie too, perfect for Cookie Exchanges and Christmas trays.  The recipe is easily double too.  If you have a need for about 96 Snickerdoodles.  Which we usually do...

Mr. DD's SECOND favorite cookie!

The ingredients...

Cream butter, shortening and sugar...

Add eggs.

Add flour mixture...

Combine sugar and cinnamon.

Roll balls of cookie dough in
cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet.

Enjoy with a glass of milk!