Home Maid Simple

Category: Appetizers

Creamy Hot Sauce Dip for Fall Football
This post is sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Watching some fall football? This Creamy Hot Sauce Dip makes every play a celebration.

It happens every year, I bring you another football recipe. You know I don’t watch football like the real fans. I show up for the food, and then pretend I have an idea of what’s going on in the game.

I know there’s more of you out there, so let’s be honest for a moment, shall we? The most important part of a good tailgate spread are the dips. They are easy to dish up and can go with virtually anything else on the table. Chips, crackers, veggies, chicken, and even a topping for your brats and burgers!

Dips are incredibly versatile, which is why whether we’re watching football at home, streaming the announcers over the internet, or actually attending a party or tailgate with friends and family – you can almost guarantee I’ll be bringing the dips. Guacamole, fresh salsa, and this creamy hot sauce dip will be all you ever need.

My kids favorite part of football parties is also the food and company. They haven’t quite hit the age where they actually want to watch men kicking a ball around the field. Well, periodically Venice will sit and enjoy a quarter or two. So having food they will enjoy is important to me, so that I can enjoy the adult time without them bugging me for food.

The Creamy Hot Sauce Dip is one that pleases both kids and adults. It’s the perfect compliment to Tyson® Any’tizers® Buffalo Style Bone-In Chicken Wings for adults. For the kids, some sweet potato fries are the perfect dipping instrument. It eases my conscience that the sweet potatoes are a tad on the healthier side too.

Sweet Potato Fries are really simple to cook up. Cut up your sweet potatoes, and then on a large baking tray, spread your Tyson® Any’tizers® Buffalo Style Bone-in Chicken Wings on half the sheet, and the sweet potatoes on the other side. Bake according to the Tyson® Any’tizers® Buffalo Style Bone-in Chicken Wings directions. After removing the buffalo chicken, if the sweet potatoes aren’t quite soft, spread them out across the rest of the pan, and bake a little longer. This allows the sweet potato to pick up a bit of that buffalo flavor without becoming too spicy for the kids.
Creamy Hot Sauce Dip

2018-09-26 09:53:50

A little hint of hot sauce gives this dip flavor the whole family can enjoy

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

5 min

Total Time

15 min
Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

5 min

Total Time

15 min

Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup Ricotta Cheese

1 tsp Hot Sauce

2 Tbs green pepper, diced

3 green onions, chopped

1 TBS garlic

6 slices bacon

Instructions

Chop bacon into small pieces. Cook on the stove top until crispy. Drain on a paper towel.

Whip together Cream Cheese, Ricotta, and Hot Sauce.

Add green pepper, garlic, green onion, and bacon.

Top with more green onion, bacon, and a drizzle of hot sauce.

By Home Maid Simple

Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
October 5, 2018
Strawberry Blossom Puffs Bring in Spring
Welcome Spring! Or at least I would love to be welcoming spring right about now. According to Punxsutawney we still have some winter left, but here in Indiana, winter was pretty mild, and the spring weather has been around for awhile. I got around last week to weeding the strawberry bed, and was pleasantly surprised to see that they had spread and continued growing throughout the winter months. My small little garden bed inspired me to create these Strawberry Blossom Puffs to bring in the official first day of spring.

Now I love winter, but I also love the changing seasons. Going from that bitter cold, beautifully white covered earth, to temperatures just right and colorful blossoms popping up from the ground. There couldn’t be a better time to celebrate. Just a couple weeks ago Rosalina convinced me to have a picnic with the kids.

These Strawberry Blossom Puffs are easy to make with Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry. I use to be scared of the Puff Pastry, thinking they were too difficult to make right. They really aren’t hard to use at all, though! The dough starts out frozen, but if you follow the steps on the packaging for thawing, you will not struggle at all. In fact, they even have tips right on the box in case you forgot you pulled it out and let it thaw too long, or have other issues with the dough.

More Tips and Tricks for using Puff Pastry in your Springtime Recipes

Alright, so I chose to use the Puff Pastry in these Strawberry Blossom Puffs, because to me Spring is a time for foods that are light and airy. The layers of dough from the pastry create that light airy texture, and mixed with the creamy strawberry filling, a beautifully textured spring recipe is formed. I used the full package to make my little blossoms, cutting both puff pastry sheets into 16 equal squares. You can also cut them into circles for a more even look around the edges.

When the Puff Pastry first comes out of the oven, they will have completely filled the mini muffin tin. While they are still warm, use the back of a spoon to gently press the center down, effectively creating a well for your filling. Now I used strawberries in mine because that is my favorite berry of all time, but you could mix in any berry and get the same results. I think next we’ll try some blackberries.

Can I tell you all a secret? I sent a picture right after I made these to Mark because I was so excited how they turned out, and his response was “Did you take the picture?” He thought for sure it looked too good to have been both made and photographed by me! I kid you not, that is how easy Puff Pastry’s make it to have Pinterest worthy food at your next party. If I can do it, anyone can do it!
Strawberry Blossom Puffs

2017-03-10 07:54:41

Serves 12

Celebrate spring with this light and airy treat. Whipped cream cheese and strawberries fill the perfect puff pastry’s.

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print
Ingredients

Pepperidge Farms® Puff Pastry Sheets

4oz Cream Cheese, softened

1 cup Strawberries, chopped

1/8 tsp Lemon extract

2 TBS Powdered Sugar

Fresh Lemon Zest (optional)

Mint leaves (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 F.

Unroll the Puff Pastry Sheets, and cut into 16 equal squares.

Gently press each square into a mini muffin cup. Bake for 10 minutes.

Gently press the back of a spoon in the middle of each puff to create a well.

Let the puffs cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove to a wire rack.

Mix together cream cheese, strawberries, lemon extract, and powdered sugar until well combined.

Fill the Pastry Puffs with the berry mix. Sprinkle lemon zest over the tarts, and top with a mint leaf.

By Home Maid Simple

Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
March 10, 2017
Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Get your party on this weekend with this recipe for Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip. So good, you may want to double the recipe.

This dip is seriously so delicious! I made it for the first time 6 years ago as a review for Carapelli Olive Oil. After that one time, I never found occasion to make it again. I have no idea why! Maybe it was to avoid eating a whole pan by myself, a very real possibility here. With the Super Bowl here now and an invite to watch commercials with family, I decided it was high time to make it again. So of course, I made it not only once this week, but twice.
So creamy and cheesy, and full of flavorful artichokes and spinach. The first time I had a Spinach and Artichoke dip was at Olive Garden. Sadly they no longer have that appetizer. This baked Spinach and Artichoke dip will most likely make a frequent appearance around here now.

Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip

2017-02-04 18:01:10

Yields 24

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

25 min

Total Time

40 min

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

25 min

Total Time

40 min

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Olive Oil

1/3 cup diced red onion

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

14oz can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

10oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed to drain

1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil, chopped

2 cups Colby Jack Cheese

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Assorted crackers, vegetables, breadsticks or toasted pita bread wedges, for dipping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In skillet, heat Olive Oil.

Sauté onion in oil until softened, about 3 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine sautéed onions, mayonnaise, sour cream, artichoke hearts, spinach, sun dried tomatoes, cheese, and garlic powder.

Spread mixture in shallow baking dish.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until mixture is hot and bubbly and the edges are golden brown.

Serve hot with assorted crackers, vegetables, breadsticks or toasted pita bread wedges.

By Home Maid Simple

Adapted from Carapelli

Adapted from Carapelli

Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/

PIN this Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip for later!
Don’t like Spinach? Try this Hot Artichoke Dip instead – only 4 ingredients!
February 4, 2017
Buffalo Chicken Salad Appetizers
Product was exchanged for this recipe on Buffalo Chicken Salad. All opinions are my own.

Super Bowl Sunday is coming! These Buffalo Chicken Salad appetizers have the perfect kick to kick off your party.

Super Bowl Sunday to me doesn’t mean watching football. To me, it means lots of good food that I don’t generally eat the rest of the year. Finger food days are some of my favorites. They usually require a bit more work to prepare, but once all the food is prepped, the rest of the day is left for digging in!

These Buffalo Chicken Salad appetizers are my favorite kind of “finger food”. With a layer of chips on the bottom and a bowl of chips for extra dipping, you won’t need any forks to enjoy this salad. The Creamy Ranch Buffalo marinade from Moore’s adds just the right kick to this salad bowl.

Not only does this salad have a nice kick, it’s super simple t make too! The chicken cooks up and shreds in the slow cooker, and with a prepared bag of salad, all that’s left to prep, are the cherry tomatoes and shredded cheese. I filled paper food tray’s I got from amazon with the salad, making this a great dish to hold while still cheering on your favorite team.
Buffalo Chicken Salad Appetizer

2017-02-01 09:29:58

Serves 6

Delicious salad for a Super Bowl Sunday

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

3 min

Total Time

3 hr 10 min
Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

3 min

Total Time

3 hr 10 min

Ingredients

1lb chicken cutlets

1/2 cup Moore’s Creamy Ranch Buffalo Marinade

2oz Cream Cheese

Bagged Salad

Tortilla Chips

1/2 cup Cherry Tomatoes, sliced

1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

Mix chicken, marinade, and cream cheese in a slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 hours.

Remove chicken from slow cooker, and shred. Return to slow cooker while you prepare the rest of the salad.

Layer tortilla chips and bagged salad in individual dishes.

Top with shredded chicken, tomatoes and shredded cheese

By Home Maid Simple

Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!
February 1, 2017
Snowflake and Olaf FROZEN Grapes

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DisneyFROZENGoesFresh #CollectiveBias

If you’re kids love Disney’s FROZEN, they will love eating healthy with these Frozen Snowflake Grapes and Yogurt Olafs. They are so easy to make, and of course fun to eat! My kids are asking for snowflakes after school every day now!

Years ago, or so it seems, when Mark was teaching band he introduced me to frozen grapes. The night before their first parade march found us skewering grapes and sticking them in the freezer. I was skeptical to say the least, but 24 hours later on a hot summery day – frozen grapes ya’ll! They’re amazing!

Jump a couple years, and without marching band, I kind of forgot about our frozen grape treats until walking through Walmart and I saw FROZEN Grapes! They were obviously just calling to me to freeze as an after school snack. I then found myself wandering all around the store dreaming up all kinds of ways to make frozen grapes a bit more fun for the kids – Snowflakes! Olaf! drink toppers!

These were super simple to put together one afternoon while the kids were at school. Little Prince and I pulled out a clamshell of FROZEN grapes, vanilla yogurt and our trusty toothpicks. I got to work skewering grapes to look like snowflakes, while the little prince turned his into “Cars! See mommy, I made a car”.

I used 6 toothpicks in total for each Snowflake. Taking 1 grape insert 4 toothpicks on each side. Skewer 2 grapes onto each toothpick. Taking 2 more toothpicks skewer diagonally all the way through the center toothpick, and add 4 more grapes, one to each side end sticking out. While not terribly hard to create, perhaps you want something simpler – in that case skewer 2 grapes to a toothpick, and dip it in vanilla yogurt to create your own Olaf.

Once all the grapes are skewered and covered in yogurt as desired, I toss them on parchment lined cookie sheet, and place in the freezer. Do not forget the parchment paper! Otherwise the grapes will freeze to the pan, and then you’ll have sad kids with no frozen grapes, and no one wants that.

After about 2 hours you’ll have sufficiently frozen FROZEN grapes, but I like giving them a good 24 hours for a nice freeze. I served our frozen snowflakes and yogurt Olaf’s alongside a bowl of vanilla yogurt for extra dipping fun.

Yesterday was probably the hottest and most humid day we’ve had since moving to Indiana. Despite that, I still walked the kids to and from school. When it’s right around the corner I have a hard time justifying putting them on the bus. It was so nice to have this cool treat waiting when we got home from our afternoon walk. Princess R was not expecting just how cold and delicious these would be though. She let out lots of Ohh’s and Yum’s – Mommy Success!

Have you seen the new FROZEN packaged Grapes? Months ago we saw them on apples, and now my kids LOVE eating apples and grapes! What fresh produce would you like to see Disney help market next?

September 4, 2015
Fancy Pudding Cups for New Years Eve
Pudding cups make for a fancy but simple treat for any party. Use whatever you have on hand to make a flavorful treat your family will love.

While I was menu planning last week (oh yeah! I actually planned a menu!), I came across a recipe for these Strawberry-Orange phyllo cups. They were filled with oranges and strawberries, and a yogurt dressing. Although it sounded and looked nice, I went with what I already had on hand – pudding and frozen berries!

Since New Years Eve is upon us, I thought it would be fun to dress them up a bit with some piped almond bark. The kids and I loved them, and there was a little something for each of them – almond bark for one, pudding for another, and berries for the third. I of course enjoyed the whole thing.
Fancy Pudding Cups

2015-12-28 13:04:24

phyllo dough cooked in muffin tins make for the perfect pudding cup.

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Ingredients

Phyllo Dough

cooking spray

pudding

Pomegranate arils

blueberries

almond bark

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F

Thaw phyllo dough according to directions on package. Place 2 phyllo dough sheets on top of each other. cut in half lengthwise and width wise, creating 4 rectangles. Coat the top with cooking spray.

Gently press one stack of phyllo dough into pan. I used a mini cheesecake pan, but a muffin tin, or custard cups would also work. Gently press a 2nd stack of the dough across the first stack. Repeat steps 1-3 for each cup you want to make.

Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. Very gently remove the phyllo cups from pan.

Spoon pudding into the cups, top with berries and almond bark designs.

For the Almond Bark decor

Melt your almond bark for 30seconds in the microwave. Stir and repeat, until bark is melted and smooth.

Pour into a piping bag, fitted with smallest tip you have – I used a Wilton 4 tip. Be careful because the bark is hot, and will also easily pour out the tip.

Carefully pipe designs onto a sheet of wax paper. As I found out, most will end up cracking if you don’t use the wax paper, and it’s just easier to get them off wax.

By Home Maid Simple

Adapted from Taste of Home

Adapted from Taste of Home

Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
Happy New Year!

May you all have a blessed new year. Enjoy family, friends, and good food this year.
December 31, 2014
Hot Artichoke Dip

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MustHaveMayo & #CollectiveBias

Are you looking for a last little something to serve this week? I found this 4 ingredient Hot Artichoke Dip using KRAFT Real Mayo Mayonnaise this week, and was so excited! I love artichoke dip, and was quite disappointed when my favorite restaurant took it off their menu. Boo! Recipes I’ve tried in the past are pretty good, but tend to be really complicated.

I did NOT need complicated this week. Sure we’re not going anywhere, and we don’t have company visiting, but since I go to school online, and then add in all the holiday hustle and bustle, and the kids being home from school – I don’t have the time for complicated dishes. Thankfully I didn’t have to compromise on taste, because this Hot Artichoke Dip is divine.

Hot Artichoke Dip

Recipe from KRAFT

Ingredients:

1 can (14oz) Artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 cup KRAFT Real Mayo Mayonnaise

1 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 clove garlic, minced

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 F.

Mix ingredients until well blended.

Spread into the bottom of a pie dish.

Bake 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.

So simple right?! I thought it would be nice to have individual servings as well, so I put some of the mix into my flan dishes and cooked for approximately the same time – just keep an eye on them so you don’t overcook.

While I was editing these photos, and asking Mark his opinion on some, he turns to me and goes – Is that Mayonnaise? He had already been impressed with the flavors of this dish, but even more so when he realized just how easy and simple the ingredients were.

If you’re entertaining a small group, the individual servings add just that extra touch to make your guests feel special. Really, who wouldn’t want a serving pre-made just for them? If your gathering is a bit larger, or even just your family and you want to save on dishes, keep the dip in the pie pan. Either way, it’s going to be a crowd pleaser. My 4-year-old absolutely loved this, and she’s normally wary of trying new foods.

Don’t forget things to serve with this dip! We love it in crusty bread, or with pita chips. You could also try it with veggies and crackers! Make it an appetizer, side dish, or even snack. My family hosts an hors d’oeuvres contest every year, and although I didn’t get to join in this year, next time I’m pretty sure I’ll be entering this recipe.

I found all my ingredients for this recipe at Walmart in the Mayonnaise aisle – nestled in with the other salad dressings and dips. I turned around, and there were the artichoke hearts. A quick step over and I found our grated parmesan. All that was left was garlic over in the produce (or my cupboard, because hello, garlic is a staple!)

If you need more inspiration, check out the Cooking Up Good website. It has recipes, sweepstakes, loyalty programs, coupons and more! What will you whip up for the holidays? Let me know in the comments!

Love this recipe? Try our Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip as well!

December 21, 2014