The Hardest Part is the Chopping

It's pretty well documented in the annals of this blog that I am not a cook.  However the one area in which I excel is appetizers.  I recently made this one for our annual Jimmy Buffett pilgrimage.  I think it may be the perfect recipe for hot weather snacking.

Greek-ish Seven Layer Dip

Ingredients:
~ 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
~ 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
~ 1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
~ 3 cloves garlic, minced
~ 1-1/2 cups prepared hummus
~ 1 cup chopped cucumber
~ 1 cup chopped tomato
~ 1 cup chopped pitted Kalamata olives (I hate olives so I only added it to one side of the dip)
~ 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
~ 1/3 cup sliced green onions
~ Pita chips

Directions:
~ In medium mixing bowl beat cream cheese, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and garlic with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and combined.
~ Spread cream cheese mixture into a deep 9-inch pie plate, or shallow serving dish.
~ Evenly spread hummus on cream cheese layer.
~ Top with cucumber, tomato, olives, feta cheese, and green onions.
~ Cover and refrigerate 2 to 24 hours.
~ Serve with pita chips

Makes about 2-1/2 cups dip


Shout out to my neighbor, Jen's "Auntie" Barbara who brought this deliciousness to a birthday party a while back and to Better Homes and Gardens, I guess because they published it.

Oh, The Heart-Stopping Goodness

Artichoke~Cheese Dip

~ 1 small jar artichoke hearts
~ 1 16 oz container sour cream (I use light)
~ 2 cups shredded cheddar
~ 1 brick cream cheese
~ 1/2 cup shredded parmesan
~ freshly ground pepper to taste
~ 1 medium to large loaf round bread, any type (I prefer sour dough)
~ 1 loaf French bread


~warm refrigerated cream cheese in microwave for one minute, in medium mixing bowl
~finely chop artichoke hearts and add to softened cream cheese
~add all other ingredients and mix well with mixer (explain when son asks what mixer is)
~pour into hollowed out bread bowl and replace "cover"
~wrap bowl in aluminum foil and place on cookie sheet
~cook in preheated 375 degree oven for 1 hour

~serve with cubed french bread and this

For Nancy, who asked for the recipe. I could eat this stuff for dinner.

Sensing a Theme?

Drink:
Cape Codder

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Vodka
3 oz Cranberry Juice
1 Wedge Lime

Mixing Instructions:
Pour Vodka and Cranberry Juice into a High Ball glass over ice.
Stir well
Add the wedge of lime
Serve

*with thanks to The Webtender

You Know You Want Some

Louisa’s* Sangria Recipe

7 Liters** of red wine (nothing too fancy)
1 L- apple brandy
1 L- orange juice (best with pulp)
0.5 L- lemon juice (concentrate is fine)
1 L- apple juice
3 lbs. of oranges (optional: 1 lb. Lemons)
3 cups of sugar

11 liters total volume + fruit = need about a 15 liter container

Dissolve sugar in 2 cups of very hot water
Chop fruit and squeeze out juice
Add parts to Sangria

Chill overnight

~~~~~~~
* Louisa is my neighbor. She makes the best Sangria I've ever tasted.
** 1 Liter = 0.264 gallons. This recipe makes approximately 3 (2.904) gallons of Sangria.

*** Now updated to include picture of finished product!

Yes, it's in a bucket. I don't have a five gallon punch bowl - do you? Can I borrow it?

Yes, I bought the bucket new and scrubbed it before using it.

Yes, it takes up practically all of my fridge.

Yes, I taste-tested it - and it. is. yummy.