Mock Clams Casino

I can't believe something with Spam and Cheese Whiz can taste so good. This was one of those recipes that we seemed to make up for every gathering because they just taste so good. It's hard to stop eating them once you start. In more recent years we've tried to tame it a bit by using low-fat Spam but it's hard to convince yourself that it's in any way healthy. Thankfully, we only make it once in a while and it's perfectly okay to indulge in moderation. Right?

Mock Clams Casino

8 English Muffins (split in half)
1 can Spam (finely minced)
1 jar Cheese Whiz
1 medium Onion, chopped
1 large Green Pepper, chopped

Mix all ingredients (except muffins) with mixer. Spread mixture onto muffin halves and then cut into quarters. Place on foil-lined baking sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes. Serve hot.

Tortilla Chili Dip

I think this is everyone's favorite bean dip -- I can't think of a holiday or get-together where this isn't served. Stock up on cans of chili when those all-important occasions such as Christmas or SuperBowl roll around as Wegmans sells out quick!

Tortilla Chili Dip

1 – 8 oz. Cream Cheese

1 – 16 oz. Can Hormel Chili (with or without beans – your preference)

1 – 2 cups grated Cheddar Cheese

Spread softened cream cheese on the bottom of a pie plate. Spread the chili on top of the cream cheese. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top of the chili.

Microwave for about 3 minutes until dip is hot and cheese is melted.

Serve with tortilla chips or crackers. 

Stuffed Bread

This is a Christmas classic. I've been making this ... forever. Cheri Glosser (from Kodak) gave me this recipe back in the day. I've adapted it a bit from time to time swapping out chicken for ham, and adding veggies like broccoli and mushrooms, but really the original recipe is best.

Stuffed Bread

2 pounds or packages Pizza Dough
1 pounds sliced Deli Ham (boiled ham is best)
1 – 2 packages sliced Pepperoni
2 packages grated Mozzarella
2 packages grated Cheddar Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Salt and Pepper

Roll out one pound of dough on a floured work surface into a large oval/rectangle shape. Break ham into small pieces and cover the center surface of the dough with ham, leaving outside edges empty. Layer pepperoni slices on top of ham pieces and then spread a layer of mozzarella, then cheddar, then finish by sprinkling parmesan cheese over all. Salt and pepper as desired.

Starting at long side closest to you, begin to roll up dough, creating a long loaf. Try to end with open edge at the bottom of loaf. Pinch ends and tuck underneath loaf. Transfer loaf to an oiled cookie sheet. Brush oil on the outside surface of the loaf.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until bottom is golden brown. Yield: 2 loaves

Note: You’ll need to prepare and bake each loaf separately. The quantities given are for two loaves so you’ll need to divide in half to have the proper amounts for each loaf.

Rye Bread Dip

Can anyone imagine Christmas without this? Me neither.

Rye Bread Dip

16 oz. Sour Cream
16 oz. Mayonnaise
1 large jar Chipped Beef
2 tsp. Dill Seed
2 tsp. Beau Monde (seasoning)
4 tsp. Dried Chopped Onion

Shred and rinse the chipped beef. Allow to dry thoroughly. Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate.

Using Rye, Pumpernickel, or Sour Dough round loaves of bread, carve out a large section from the center of the bread, creating a “bowl”. Fill the hole with the dip. Break the bread apart and use for dipping.

Note: Have an extra loaf of bread that can be used for dipping. You'll need it!

Bacon Mushroom Dip

Oh so yummy ... loved to make this when we had friends coming over or for the holidays. 

Bacon Mushroom Dip

16 oz. Mushrooms, fresh and sliced

1 pound Bacon, cooked and crumbled

8 oz. Cheddar Cheese (grated)

8 oz. Swiss Cheese (shredded)

¼ tsp. Garlic powder

2/3 cup Mayonnaise

Town House Crackers

Saute mushrooms until just tender. Cook bacon and crumble. Mix mushrooms, bacon, cheeses, garlic powder, and mayonnaise together. Place into a casserole dish. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Serve warm with crackers.

Cheeseball

Another family favorite at the holidays is Mo's Cheeseball ... I think she probably got this recipe from a magazine or maybe even off a Philadelphia Cream Cheese or Kraft product label. It's simple to make and is nice to bring to parties or give as a gift. If you make this up at Thanksgiving, you can divide the mixture into thirds and freeze two of them. You can pull one out at Christmas and the other out for New Year's Eve!

Cheeseball

2 packages softened Cream Cheese (8 oz.)

1 jar Kraft Roka Bleu Cheese

1 jar Kraft Old English Cheese

1 tsp. Worchestershire Sauce

1 Tbsp. Dried Minced Onion

Walnuts, finely chopped

Marachino Cherries

Mix together all ingredients with mixer. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight. Divide mixture into 2 or 3 balls, depending on size desired. Roll cheese balls in walnuts until fully coated. Top each ball with a cherry.

These can be frozen but they are better if used when made.