Simple advice for a better life.

Party Time - Appetizer tableIt’s that time of the year again…yes you guessed it… Super Bowl Sunday. Time to watch LOTS of Football, Half- Time entertainment, great commercials, and most of all, LOTS of delicious party food.

It does not matter if you like football or not, or if you care about the Pittsburgh Steelers , or the Green Bay Packers, the important thing is that you will be surrounded by your family and friends to have a good time together.

If you are still searching for recipes for your party, search no more, because I am about to give you a list of my favorite recipes.

Ham Canapes (very easy, presentable and delicious)

Jalapeno Corn Dip ( for the vegetarian on your list)

Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip (everyone’s favorite)

7 Layer Guacamole Dip (yummy..)

Swedish Meatballs (quick, delectable, filling)

Texas Caviar (another meatless dish)

Mrs. Z’ s Deviled Eggs (can’t beat these!!)

Pesto Sun-Dried Tomato Cheese Spread (sooooo good…)

Caramel Apple Dip (great for the underage crowd…)

Turkey Taco Ring (presentable and really tasty)

Rye Bread Dip (oldie but goodie..)

Tzatziki Dip (for the vegetarian in your crowd)

Lemon Basil Hummus (very healthful dip)

City Chicken (a party must…easy to snack on)

Calico Beans (better than chilly)

Veggie Platter (healthful and crunchy)

Non-alcoholic Punch (for the party animal having fun without alcohol)

Your list is ready.

All you have to do now is to prepare a shopping list, and coordinate some kitchen help to put it all together, for that special day.

MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN!!!!

Rye Bread Dip 2Labor Day is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start planning a party.  I have already posted several recipes for party foods, but this time I will share one that has been around for a while.

It used to be very popular few years back, and it’s gaining popularity once again.

Actually, one of my readers  asked me to post my recipe for the Rye Bread Dip, so here it is.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mayonnaise (Hellmans Light, is my favorite)
  • 2 cups sour cream (see TIP below this post)
  • 1 Tbs Italian Parsley leaves, chopped
  • 1 Tbs onion, minced
  • 2 Tbs dill
  • 1 packet Dried Beef, chopped(optional if you are a vegetarian)
  • 1 round loaf of Rye Bread

Directions:

  1. In a medium size bowl, mix mayonnaise and sour cream.
  2. Chop the Dried Beef to small chunks.
  3. Blend in the parsley, onions, dill and chopped beef.
  4. Slice off the top of the round rye bread loaf (about 1 inch from the top)
  5. Scoop out the middle section of the bread, and cut up into 2×2 inch squares.  The bread shell will become  a bread bowl.  The sliced off top of the bread may serve as a cover for the dip before serving, or it may be cut up into chunks, for dipping.
  6. Set aside the bread chunks.
  7. Fill the bread cavity with the dip (see TIP below this post).
  8. Place the filled bread bowl on a serving platter, and arrange the cut up bread chunks around it.
  9. Dip in, and enjoy!

TIP: To prevent the “bread bowl” from getting soggy, you can place a serving bowl, filled with the dip, inside the bread cavity, and as begin to run low on the bread cubes, you can cut up the remaining bread, to replenish.

To lighten up this recipe a little further, you may substitute the sour cream with Light Sour Cream, or Greek Yogurt.

Super Bowl – Party Food

Party canapes 2Here we are again, planning another Super Bowl party, and searching for party food ideas.

Well, since you are reading this post, you’re already in the right place.  There is no better place than grandma’s kitchen, Suburbangrandma, that is!

All the recipes I post are either prepared by me personally, or I have sampled them elsewhere, loved them, and posted them for you to enjoy.

This time I decided to post a very simple recipe, but quite presentable, and very well liked by my family, for years .

These are open face sandwiches, canapes, also know to my family as “kanapky”.

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 Tbs butter, softened
  • 1 Tbs Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix
  • 2 large loves of rye bread (40 slices)
  • 3 tomatoes,  sliced thin
  • 4 pickles, sliced thin
  • 6 eggs, boiled and sliced thin (use an egg slicer, for best results)
  • 1 Lbs of ham, cooked, smoked, or your your choice – sliced on a thinner side as well
  • 20 slices of American cheese, white or yellow
  • Chives or scallions, chopped (to sprinkle on top for a fresh look, and to enhance the aroma)

Directions:

  1. Mix the cream cheese, butter and salad dressing mix.
  2. Set aside.
  3. Remove the smaller end from the loaf of bread, if you are using bakery loaf.  If you are using a prepackaged bread without the ends, then you are all set.
  4. Cut the cheese slices in half diagonally (forming triangles)
  5. Fold each slice of ham in half, or cut in half it you plan to use only that much on each sandwich.
  6. Get ready all the sliced ingredients: eggs, tomatoes, pickles.
  7. Spread the cheese/butter mixture on each piece of rye bread (rather sparingly)
  8. Place a piece of ham on top of the spread
  9. Place a piece of cheese on top of ham
  10. Arrange nicely a slice of pickle, slice of an egg, and slice of a tomato on top of the cheese slice.
  11. Sprinkle lightly with chopped chives or scallions.

If you are looking for additional ideas, and recipes, you may check these out:

Tip: The canapes in this top photo (close up view) were made for a tea party, thus very dainty, and I used only  1/3 of a slice of bread per each, so I used a grape tomato slices, 1/2  of an egg slice, and 1/4 of a slice of cheese.
If you plan to make these for an adult party, I would suggest to use a whole slice of bread for each canape,  plus the toppings listed in the recipe above.