Five Things Thursday

How about a couple last minute--EASY--recipes to wow your guests?

1. Cranberry Pistachio Balls

    3 ingredients...white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and pistachios.

    Melt white chocolate in the microwave ( one minute and then 30-second intervals just til the 

    chocolate melts). Throw in a handful and a half of dried cranberries and a handful and a half 

    of pistachios.

    Scoop teaspoonfuls on wax paper and wait until they set. Keep in an airtight container. Does 

    not need refrigeration.

    There are really no specific measurements. My advice is not to use more than a regular size  

    bag of chips at a time. White chocolate sets much faster than milk or semisweet. You can  

    make them with dried cherries and coarsely chopped almonds too.

2. Spinach and Artichoke Dip

    10 oz. Frozen spinach in the crockpot.

    Add on top of spinach:

    8 oz. Block cream cheese

    1.5 cups mozzarella

    1/2 cup fresh parmesan

    2 T. Fresh garlic

    1/2 cup sour cream

    Can artichoke, chopped

    Salt, pepper and onion powder

    Mix and cook on low for a couple hours.

3. Santa's Nightcap

    1 oz. vodka

    1 oz. peppermint Schnapps

    1 1/2 oz. chocolate liqueur

    Shake with ice and serve in a martini glass rimmed in peppermint or drizzle inside of glass 

    with Hershey's chocolate. 

4. Three Ingredient Oatmeal Cookies

    2 ripe bananas (mashed)

    1 cup oats

    1/4 cup chopped nuts and/or chocolate chips

    Combine all ingredients. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

5. Easy Breakfast Casserole

    30 saltine crackers, crumbled

    2 cups shredded cheddar or jack

    6 eggs

    1/2 cup melted butter

    2 cups milk

    1/2 cup real bacon bits or 3-4 slices, crumbled (I'll bet dice ham works too)

    1 cup chopped fresh spinach or 1/2 pkg. frozen, thawed and squeezed

    Crumble crackers in bottom of sprayed 9x13 casserole dish. Mix remaining ingredients and 

    pour over crackers. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes until set. Serves 6-8