Hot and Cheesy Black-Eyed Pea Dip

If you're looking for a fun way to serve up black-eyed peas this New Year's, you're in luck!  Here's a twist on the old tradition that has a zip of heat and is loaded with cheese.  Serve hot with tortilla chips (and start your 2012 diet plan tomorrow)!

Here's the line up of ingredients:


 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a small skillet, melt butter and saute onion and garlic until tender (about 5 minutes).

In a large bowl, combine cooked onion/garlic, sour cream, chilies, jalapenos, hot sauce and salt and pepper.

Gently fold in black-eyed peas and cheese.

Transfer mixture to a shallow baking dish-- I used a corning ware tart dish. 

 

Bake for 25 minutes until bubbly.

 Dive in with tortilla chips!  Warning:  This dip is highly addictive.

Print this recipe!

Have a happy and safe New Year's!

Erin

Mouse Clicks: A Christmas Poem

'Tis the week before Christmas, and with the click of a mouse

I find holiday inspiration for all through the house.

Recipes and gift ideas have been posted with care

Waiting for readers with whom to be shared.

My puppy is nestled all peaceful in his bed

While visions of season's eatings dance through my head.

I cozy up with hot chocolate and computer in my lap

Much too inspired for a long winter's nap.

I'll start at the beginning with hors d'oeuvres of all sorts--

Deviled eggs, bruschetta, and a cherry cheese torte.

Add wassail and eggnog, favorite holiday brews

And spirits will be bright, and good tidings will ensue.

We'll move on to entrees and the main courses,

And there's a multitude of options from a multitude of sources.

Pork medallions proudly center any festive spread

Complete with potatoes, greens, and home-made bread.

Let's not forget dessert, as in my mind it comes first

We have cupcakes, and cake pops with flavors that burst,

Chocolate candy cookies that couldn't be faster

Even for the novice domestic multi-tasker.

And then there's Christmas morn with the sweet aroma

Of rolls made by a pioneer woman from Oklahoma,

Served with a yummy sausage-and-egg bake

And blueberry scones that are so fun to make.

Now Baker, Homemaker, now Foodie on a mission,

On Cook, Entertainer, and all others in the kitchen,

From the top of this post, scroll down clicking links as you fall

Click away, click away, click away all!

After checking this list, and checking it twice,

I'm off to the kitchen to make something nice.

In closing I'll say, bidding you farewell tonight,

"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good bite!"

I love Christmas.  It's such a good food holiday.  These are recipes I've happened upon, and I thought I'd share-- my Christmas gift to you!  

Whatever you do, whatever you make, remember the reason for the season.

Blessings and Love,

Erin

 

Cranberry White Cheddar Cheese Ball (and how to gift it)

Meet my fiance Brad.

We got engaged this past Memorial Day weekend at the lake.  Brad took me on a boat ride, and little did I know, his dog Haley had a ring attached to her collar.  Brad popped the question, I said yes (of course!), and we returned to a surprise celebration with family and friends at the lake house.  We are getting married in the mountains this May.

During the portion of our first date when we discussed our "hobbies," I told Brad how much I enjoy cooking-- and then I may have gotten a little carried away.  I proceeded to tell him all about the Gorgonzola butter on his steak, my cookbook collection, and even my cherished Kitchen Aid mixer.  Well, Brad suggested we cook dinner for our second date, and we've been trying new recipes together ever since.

One of our go-to menus, however, requires little preparation and no cooking at all--Wine and Cheese.  Because it has been one of our favorites, I wanted to incorporate this idea in the host and hostess gifts we gave to the sweet couples who threw our engagement party a few months ago.  Here's what I came up with...

Tucked beneath the cocktail napkins I inserted a sleeve of cheese ball recipes with wine pairing suggestions.

I think the gift turned out pretty cute, and because this is the season of giving, I had to create a holiday version.  Only with this one, I'm using a larger cheese board and throwing in the actual cheese ball.  Here's how to make it:

 Cranberry White Cheddar Cheese Ball

Makes 2 Cheese Balls

2 8 oz. bricks cream cheese, softened
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 dashes Tabasco
scant teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons cranberry sauce
8 oz. sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
1 cup finely chopped pecans



1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, and salt until blended.
2. Fold in, one at a time, cranberry sauce, white cheddar, and dried cranberries.
3. Divide mixture in half and form into two balls.
4. Roll cheese balls in chopped pecans until coated on all sides.
5. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until serving.

NOTE:  If giving as a gift, make sure to include a tag indicating it requires refrigeration.  I made mine using a paper punch and scrapbook paper.  The note about refrigeration is on the back.  Click here for some really cute and FREE labels I discovered on Pinterest.  

To package the cheese ball, I wrapped it in a 1-1/4" strip of scrapbook paper and added a bow with craft twine and raffia.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

To wrap it up, I packaged one cheese ball, cocktail napkins, a cheese spreader, and a package of crackers with a wooden cheese board.

 Tape everything in place with heavy duty double sided tape, and wrap with a bow to complete.



Do you notice the similarity in wrapping?

Yes, it's intended to go with the wine gift I posted a few days ago!  Here's the complete gift...

If there is anything that I love more than good wine and cheese, it would be good conversation to go with it.  Why don't you take all three to your next holiday party?


Cheers,
Erin