Blogs

t's no secret that I love football! 

Mark and I love to have family and friends over to watch games with us, especially The BIG GAME coming up next weekedl, and of course, food is always a big part of the day. I generally do buffet style, because I would rather spend my day enjoying our company and the game than in the kitchen cooking and preparing. I usually make everything the day before and put everything out just before our friends arrive. Plus, buffets allow others to bring their favorite dishes to share, if they choose. It's also fun to bring and share recipe cards along with the their favorite dishes. It's an easy and inexpensive way to add to your cookbook repitoire.

In honor of football friendly buffets, I will share three quick and easy recipes with you: one one appetizer, one hot dish that can easily be kept warm on a steam table or in a crock pot and a dessert.

Who do you think is going to win this year's BIG GAME?  

Counting our blessings, 

Mary Beth Roe

Recipe Photos to Follow

Hamburger Chili Macaroni

• 1 pound ground beef

• 6 oz. can tomato paste

• 3 cups water

• 1 cup chopped onion (optional)

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

• 1 cup elbow macaroni, uncooked

Brown beef and onions together until the meat is no longer pink. Drain fat well. Add tomato paste, water and seasonings.

Bring to a boil.

Add uncooked macaroni noodles, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Noodles will cook and soften and most of the water will evaporate. 

Spinach Dip served in a Bread Boat

• 10 oz. package frozen chopped spinach

• 16 oz. sour cream

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• 1 package dry vegetable soup mix

Thaw and drain spinach, squeezing out the excess moisture

Mix all ingredients and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours.

Hollow out a loaf of bread of your choice.

Spoon dip into the center of the hollowed out bread.

Pull apart bread into bite-sized pieces and place around the outside of the bread bowl adding vegetables, crackers and anything else you would like to dip.

This next recipe for dessert couldn't be any easier and is always a crowd pleaser in my house.

7 Layer Bars

• 1/2 cup butter 

• 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

• 11-12 0z. bag butterscotch chips

• 11-12 oz. bag chocolate chips

• 1-1/2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut

• 1 cups chopped nuts (I generally use walnuts)

• 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

Spread layers of graham crackers, butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, coconut and nuts, in that order.

Melt butter in a 9" x 13" pan. Drizzle the entire can of sweetened condensed milk on top. 
Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes to one hour, until golden brown. Let cool completely before cutting. Let cool completely before cutting.

 Spinach Dip

7 Layer Bars