Christmas Yummies

Over the Christmas season there are a few things that I make each year and they’re my ‘go to’ appetizers.  I often make them in bulk and then freeze them, taking out what we need when we’re going to an open house or Christmas party with family or friends.

I have two all-time favourites and want to share them with you. 

Ranch Stars

I think over the Christmas season I made about 20 dozen of these and took them to lots of places.  (And I didn’t remember to take a single picture!)  Each time they were gobbled up and I took home an empty plate which truly is the goal of any food I take to a potluck….no leftovers.   

Here’s the recipe:

2 cups tri-cheese shredded mix (I use Tex-Mex blend)

1/2 lb. ground pork

1/2 lb. ground turkey

1/2 green pepper

1/2 red pepper

1 small bottle ranch dressing

1 small can black olives

2 packages won ton wrappers (1 package normally has 2 stacks of wrappers)

Use mini muffin tin to create stars to hold filling.  Place wonton wrapper in mini muffin tin and press into place.

Bake at 375o for 5 mins.

Prepare filling:

- fry ground pork and ground turkey and drain well

- finely chop peppers and olives

- mix all ingredients in a large bowl. 

- fill each wonton with mixture.  At this point these can be frozen and baked later or, if using immediately, bake for an additional 5 mins. at 375^o.  Enjoy!

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

These take a bit of time to put together but trust me, they’re more than worth that time!!  This year I had a little helper with me to hand me the chestnuts and toothpicks and that made the making of them that much more enjoyable!

Ingredients:

1 lb. bacon

2 small cans whole water chestnuts

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup ketchup

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

• cut bacon strips in half
• wrap each water chestnut in a slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick
• place in 8x8 pan

Bake for 30 mins at 350^o

Remove from oven and drain

• mix brown sugar, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce together
• pour over water chestnuts

Bake for an additional 20 mins

Delicious!  Enjoy!!

Candy Cane Popcorn with Chocolate

This was a new recipe that I found on Pinterest this year and will be added to our annual repertoire for sure!

16 cups popped popcorn

2 cups white chocolate

1 cup crushed candy canes or mints (divided)

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 Tbsp. butter

• pop popcorn and place it in a large bowl (remove unpopped kernels)
• melt white chocolate in the microwave: melt on high for 1 min, stir, then at 30 second intervals until melted
• stir 1/2 cup of crushed candy canes into chocolate
• pour over popcorn and mix together while sprinkling in remaining crushed candy canes
• pour onto cookie tray
• melt chocolate chips and butter following above method.  Using spoon drizzle over popcorn
• cool
• Enjoy!!

I hope you enjoy these ‘go to’ favourites as much as our family does!