Super Bowl Party Food - Pizza

It's the day before the big game and I hope that most people who are hosting a Super Bowl party already have their menus set and ingredients purchased. I especially hope the folks around Washington, DC have all their supplies in. Wow, 30 inches of snow is unbelievable. We only got about 3 inches last night. So, for those last minute shoppers, I have a couple ideas for you with a pizza theme. My first recipe is for Pizza Sticks. They are easy to make and can be done in no time. I have listed the ingredients, but any kind of pizza toppings could be used. The second recipe today is a Crockpot Pizza, also easy to make and can be done in about 4 hours. Enjoy the game tomorrow and, as everyone knows, I'm an Indianapolis Colts fan so you know who I'll be cheering for.

No matter who you are cheering for, enjoy the game,
Carol

Pizza Sticks

1 can refrigerated bread sticks
Pepperoni slices
Italian seasoning
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Parmesan cheese, grated
1 jar Pizza Sauce

Preheat oven to 350° f. Separate the bread sticks and lay out flat on wax paper. Place pepperoni slices on the top half of the bread stick. Sprinkle a little Mozzarella cheese on the pepperoni. Fold the bottom half of the bread stick on the top half and pinch the sides to seal as best you can. Sprinkle with seasoning and Parmesan cheese and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Serve with pizza sauce for dipping.

Crockpot Pizza

1 1/2 lb. hamburger, browned and drained
16 oz. Mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 chopped onion
1 pkg sliced pepperoni
2/3 box rigatoni noodles, cooked
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can sliced mushrooms
2 jars pizza sauce

Place the following in layers in the slow cooker in this order: hamburger, noodles, cheese, soup, mushrooms, onions, pizza sauce, and pepperoni. Cook on low for about 4 hours and serve.

GO COLTS!!!!

Football, Ham Sandwiches and Monkey Bread

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know I am a huge Indianapolis Colts fan. Sunday they will be playing in the AFC Conference Championship with the winner going to the Super Bowl. I always try and plan my meals around the game and since I don't really want to do much cooking tomorrow, I am planning a very simple main dish which I have posted on here before, Hawaiian Ham & Cheese Mini Sandwiches. Take look and maybe you might want to serve them, too.

Today, I have a breakfast recipe for your sweet tooth, Monkey Bread. I haven't fixed this in a long time, but may have to now that I have dug out the recipe.

Monkey Bread

2 1/2 C. granulated sugar
4 t. cinnamon
4 cans refrigerator biscuits
3/4 C. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly grease a fluted tube pan and set aside. Mix sugar and cinnamon together and pour into a 1 gallon plastic bag. Cut each biscuit into quarters. Coat with butter and place into the bag with the sugar mixture. Doing one can at at time, close bag and shake until all pieces are coated. Layer the coated biscuit pieces into the tube pan, gently pressing into place. Repeat this with each can of biscuits. Bake for 45- 50 minutes or until browned and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Remove from the oven and invert the pan onto a serving plate. Serve warm.

Carol
GO COLTS

Author Interview

I have been interviewed on Molly's Musings Blog. If you can, please take a moment to check it out. I will be giving away a copy of my e-book, "Love, Lies & Deceit" to a lucky reader.

Carol

Slow Cooker Chocolate Chip Cake

This is a great recipe when you want something simple and don't have time to make it. By using the slow cooker, you can start it well ahead of time and time it to have it ready when you want to serve it. We've made this at work several times for a sweet treat in the middle of the afternoon. This would be a great dish to have for your Super Bowl party. In fact, it sounds so good while I am typing this, I think I will go fix one for dinner tonight.

Slow Cooker Chocolate Chip Cake

1 box Devil's Food Cake mix
1 package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 16 oz. container sour cream
4 large eggs
3/4 C. vegetable oil
2 t. vanilla extract
1 16 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix together the cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl. Add 1 cup of water and mix on low speed until well blended. Stop the mixer and add the chocolate chip. Mix by hand.

Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray. I normally use Crock Pot Liners, but this recipe works better without them. Pour the batter into the slow cooker and cover with the lid. Cook the cake until it begins to pull away from the side of the crock, about 3 1/2 hours on high, or 6 1/2 to 7 hours on low heat. To serve, spoon the warm cake into bowls and add your favorite ice cream on the side, if desired. This recipe works best in a 3 quart slow cooker, but any regular size crock will work.

Enjoy,
Carol
Go Colts

Vegetable Pizza

The NFL football playoffs are about to start, which means parties every weekend until the Super Bowl. One of the appetizers that I like to serve at any type of party is a Veggie Pizza. It's very easy to make and something healthy to serve. You can choose any vegetables that you want and by making several with different varieties, you can satisfy just about any football fan.

Vegetable Pizza

2 cans crescent rolls
8 oz pkg of cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 c. sour cream
1 pkg of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
vegetables, chopped in bite-size pieces

Spread crescent rolls onto pan, pinching together the seams to seal. Bake according to temperature on can, until browned. Let cool.

Mix Ranch dressing mix, sour cream and cream together. Spread mixture on the cooled crust. Add vegetables of your choosing, broccoli, carrots, peppers, cauliflower, onions, tomatoes, olives, and top if grated cheese, if desired.

Enjoy and Go Colts,
Carol

Eat Cheese to Stay Slim

My name is Carol and I am a cheeseaholic. Who knew there was a name for it? Yahoo posted an article today about how full-fat cheese can help you stay slim, Eat Cheese to Stay Slim.

I grew up eating cheese and still love it. When I want a snack, I usually grab some cheese. Of course, I'm far from slim, so it's the other stuff I eat that has been bad for me. But, it is nice to know that I can still enjoy a snack of a cheese stick or, as the article suggests, grate a little Parmesan on some veggies or my salad. I also won't feel so bad about sprinkling some Monterey Jack on my scrambled eggs in the mornings.

As always, moderation is the key. Now, if I can just remember that when I am eating everything else.

Carol

Not forgotten

No, I haven't forgotten about my blog. I was traveling over the Christmas holiday and just returned this past weekend. As soon as I get back to my old routine, I will have more recipes for everyone.

Until then, here is a handy kitchen tip:


When a recipe calls for crumbled bacon, dice it before frying for more even cooking.

I hope everyone had a great holiday.
Carol